Portugal 50 Escudos Banknote – Queen St. Isabel & Coimbra (1964 Issue)
Pick# 168 | Silva# 086 | Numista Ref. N#202800
Issued on 28 February 1964, this note belongs to the later phase of the Portuguese escudo and reflects the refined engraving style that defined the Banco de Portugal’s mid‑century issues. Its imagery honours Queen St. Isabel, a revered figure in Portuguese history known for charity, diplomacy, and the famous “Miracle of the Roses.” The reverse highlights Coimbra, one of Portugal’s oldest and most culturally significant cities.
Design Highlights
Obverse
Dark‑brown on a multicolour underprint
Portrait of Queen St. Isabel (1271–1336), based on a painting held in the Stadt Kunstmuseum, Düsseldorf
Issuing authority: BANCO DE PORTUGAL
Denomination: CINQUENTA ESCUDOS – OURO
Date: Lisboa, 28 de Fevereiro de 1964
Latin script throughout
Reverse
Dark‑brown on multicolour underprint
Historical engraving of Coimbra, described in Latin as Illustris Ciuitatis Conimbriae in Lusitania ad flumen Illundam effigies
Denomination repeated in Portuguese and Latin
Issuing authority: Banco de Portugal
Colour and Style
Warm brown tones with soft pastel underprint
Classical portraiture and architectural engraving
Clean, balanced layout typical of 1960s Portuguese banknotes
Key Specifications
Feature Description
Country Portugal
Issuer Banco de Portugal
Period Second Republic (1926–1974)
Type Standard circulation banknote
Year 1964
Denomination 50 Escudos
Currency Escudo (1911–2001)
Composition Paper
Size 142 × 71 mm
Shape Rectangular
Demonetized 29 June 1987
References P# 168, Silva# 086
Watermark Queen St. Isabel
Security Features
Watermark portrait of Queen St. Isabel
Fine‑line engraving and multicolour underprint
Traditional mid‑century security design without modern holographic elements
Why Collect This Note
Collectors value the 1964 50 Escudos for its artistic quality and historical resonance:
Features one of Portugal’s most beloved queens and saints
Beautiful engraving of Coimbra, a centre of Portuguese culture and learning
Represents the refined design era of the 1960s Banco de Portugal issues
Increasingly scarce in high grade due to demonetization in 1987
Strong appeal for collectors of European portraiture and pre‑euro Iberian currency
Its combination of religious iconography, historical architecture, and elegant engraving makes it a standout piece in any Portuguese or European banknote collection.
