Description and research notes
Back plate proof printed by the American Bank Note Company for the 100 Cruzeiros issue of 1943, executed on card with broad margins and strong embossing. The reverse design features an allegorical seated female figure holding a globe, symbolizing Brazil’s connection to global commerce and navigation—recurring motifs throughout mid-20th century ABNC engravings.
Proofs like this one were pulled directly from steel plates to check engraving depth, line clarity, and inking quality before full production. Mounted examples such as this represent the intermediate stage between master die approval and live-issue note printing.
This piece belongs to the 'Cruzeiro' transition series that redefined Brazil’s currency system after the Second World War, replacing the earlier Mil Réis standard. Its visual strength, technical precision, and ABNC imprint preserve the craftsmanship that marked Brazil’s entry into modern monetary design during a global era of financial reorganization.