Banknote Billet Brazil 2 cruzeiro 1944

Remarks:

Plis et salissures

The 2 Cruzeiros banknote issued in 1944 in Brazil represents an important piece of Brazilian monetary history from the republican period. This banknote belongs to the series issued under the cruzeiro denomination, a monetary unit introduced in Brazil in 1942 to replace the milréis, as part of a major monetary reform carried out under the government of Getúlio Vargas.

The banknote honours the Duque de Caxias, whose full name is Luís Alves de Lima e Silva. Born in 1803 and died in 1880, he is one of the most iconic military figures in Brazil. Nicknamed the « Patrono do Exército Brasileiro » (Patron of the Brazilian Army), he distinguished himself notably during the Paraguayan War (1864-1870), as well as in several internal pacification campaigns in Brazil during the 19th century. His depiction on this banknote reflects the importance given to great military and national figures in the iconography of Brazilian banknotes of that era.

This 2 cruzeiros banknote dated 1944 falls within the early years of this monetary denomination, making it a direct witness to a period of significant economic and political transition for Brazil. The graphic design of banknotes from this period is characteristic of fiduciary printing techniques from the first half of the 20th century, incorporating security features and ornamental motifs typical of Brazilian national printing house productions.

This type of banknote is today sought after by collectors specialising in Brazilian numismatics, and more particularly in the first-generation cruzeiro series.