Banknote Billet Chile 1 escudo 1962-1973

Remarks:

Plis

The 1 Escudo banknote from Chile is part of a series issued between 1962 and 1973, a period corresponding to the introduction and use of the escudo as Chile's official currency, before it was replaced by the peso in 1975. This issue was part of a monetary reform initiated under the presidency of Jorge Alessandri, aimed at stabilising the Chilean economy in the face of persistent inflation.

This banknote honours two founding elements of Chilean national identity. On one hand, Arturo Prat Chacón, national hero and officer of the Chilean navy, celebrated for his heroic act at the Battle of Iquique in 1879 during the War of the Pacific, is an iconic figure whose portrait adorns the note. On the other hand, the Fundación de Santiago, that is, the founding of the city of Santiago, capital of Chile, established by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia on 12 February 1541, constitutes the other theme represented on this banknote.

The Chilean escudo, whose unit value is represented here by this 1 escudo banknote, was subdivided into 100 centésimos. This currency was in circulation during a period marked by significant political and economic upheavals in Chile, notably under the governments of Eduardo Frei Montalva and Salvador Allende, until the military coup of 1973.

This banknote represents a direct testimony to the monetary and political history of Chile in the 20th century. Its iconography, combining a historical military figure with a founding event of the nation, reflects the desire of Chilean authorities to strengthen the sense of national identity through monetary symbolism. The period of issue, spanning more than a decade, attests to the longevity of this denomination in Chilean fiduciary circulation at the time.