Description and research notes
Superb proof engraving prepared by the American Bank Note Company for the Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, dated 19 de Enero de 1883. The design features an equestrian vignette at center symbolizing progress and vitality, flanked by portraits of Florencio Varela and Valentín Alsina, two influential figures in Argentina’s political and intellectual life.
Printed directly from ABNC master plates in black ink on thin India paper and mounted on card stock, this piece confirms its pre-issue proof status. Such proofs were prepared as part of the approval process before full production, allowing the bank to review design and engraving quality. The absence of serial numbers and signatures reflects its archival purpose rather than circulation intent.
The 1883 proof belongs to a short transitional period between the 1881 and 1885 'Pesos Oro' issues, representing the modernization of Argentina’s provincial currency design. During this time, the Banco de la Provincia served as both a provincial and quasi-national financial institution, bridging regional economic autonomy with the emerging central banking structure that would later unify Argentina’s monetary system.
Only one example is certified in the PMG census, graded 64 Choice Uncirculated (Top Pop) — the sole recorded proof of this denomination and date. Beyond its rarity, this engraving illustrates the precision and artistry characteristic of the American Bank Note Company during the late 19th century, when U.S. firms dominated Latin American banknote production. This proof stands as a tangible artifact of that era’s intersection between artistry, financial expansion, and technological excellence.