Numismatics - 25 Peseta Banknote, (1874)

In recent years, it has become common for philatelic coin and banknote issues to alternate, so this year, the 2025 series represents a banknote.

In 1868, Spain adapted to the Latin Monetary Union system, creating the Peseta as the new National Monetary Unit. The first issue of paper money expressed in pesetas, on July 1, 1874, coincided with the granting to the Bank of Spain of the exclusive right to issue banknotes, which until then had been shared with other provincial banks.

The 25-peseta banknote that reproduces the stamp, from the aforementioned first series of 1874—whose plate proof is preserved in the Museum of the Casa de la Moneda in Madrid—depicts two children (cupcakes) carrying baskets on their heads as an allegory of agriculture and fishing, symbols of abundance. 193,000 copies were issued for circulation only in Bank branches due to their high value. Their dimensions are 125 x 80 mm and they would have a watermark with the face value "25".

This note marked the beginning of the practice of inscribing the signatures of the governor and the auditor on the plate, leaving the signature of the cashier to the branch.