1899 Costa Rica Banco de Costa Rica Peso Remainder Note Set 5 10 20 Pesos PMG 63-66

1899 Costa Rica Banco de Costa Rica Peso Remainder Note Set 5 10 20 Pesos PMG Certified

This exceptional 1899 Costa Rica Banco de Costa Rica remainder note set represents one of the most visually striking and historically important early Latin American paper money issues. Produced by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), these notes were printed but never issued for circulation, surviving instead as official remainders preserved in outstanding detail.

The set includes the 5 Pesos, 10 Pesos, and 20 Pesos denominations, each showcasing elaborate engraving, rich color palettes, and classic allegorical and landscape imagery typical of late 19th-century ABNC craftsmanship.

Historical Significance

At the end of the 19th century, Costa Rica relied on foreign printers—most notably the American Bank Note Company—to produce its national currency. These 1899 Banco de Costa Rica issues were intended for circulation during a period of economic modernization but ultimately remained unused. As remainders, they offer collectors a rare opportunity to acquire pristine examples of notes that never entered daily commerce.

Design and Features

• 5 Pesos (Pick S163r): Features a commanding lion vignette symbolizing strength and stability, framed by ornate scrollwork and bold denomination counters.

• 10 Pesos (Pick S164r): Displays a dramatic waterfall landscape vignette, paired with warm orange and olive tones and intricate geometric borders.

• 20 Pesos (Pick S165r): Showcases a sailing ship at sea, representing trade and progress, complemented by vibrant multicolor underprinting and complex guilloché patterns.

All notes exhibit the exceptional engraving depth, symmetry, and visual balance that define classic ABNC productions.

Authenticity and Certification

Each note in this set is professionally certified by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) and encapsulated for long-term preservation:

• 5 Pesos – PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (Remainder)

• 10 Pesos – PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (Remainder)

• 20 Pesos – PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (Remainder, noted minor repair)

PMG certification guarantees authenticity, while the remainder designation confirms these notes were never placed into circulation.

Remarkable Appeal

Remainder sets from Costa Rica are increasingly difficult to assemble, particularly with strong visual consistency and third-party certification. The combination of multiple denominations, classic ABNC artistry, and historical context makes this group especially attractive to collectors of Latin American, engraved, or remainder banknotes.

Catalog References

• 5 Pesos: Pick S163r – 1899

• 10 Pesos: Pick S164r – 1899

• 20 Pesos: Pick S165r – 1899

• Printer: American Bank Note Company (ABNC)

Collector’s Value

This certified three-note remainder set offers outstanding historical depth, artistic beauty, and long-term collector appeal. Whether displayed together or held as a cornerstone Latin American grouping, it represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a complete, high-quality example of Costa Rica’s classic 1899 Banco de Costa Rica issue.