20 Escudos, Bank of Portugal, Portugal, 1915–1919 (Pick 115)

This 20 Escudos note was issued in Portugal by the Bank of Portugal, with dates recorded from 1915–1919. It belongs to the Escudo (1911-2001) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: First Republic (1910-1926). It measures 164 × 121 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 115.

Obverse: Brown-lilac and green. Woman at left and right; at center, portrait of Viscount João Baptista da Silva Leitão de Almeida Garrett; Coat of Arms of Republic with Armilar Sphere at top left. Chapa 1. Its lettering reads “BANCO DE PORTUGAL / VINTE ESCUDOS / OURO / LISBOA 5 DE JANEIRO DE 1915”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Portugal Twenty Escudos Gold Lisbon, January 5, 1915”. Reverse: Blue on light green underprint. Coat of Arms of Republic at center. Its lettering reads “BANCO DE PORTUGAL / 20 ESCUDOS”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Portugal 20 Escudos”.

The note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, United Kingdom (1856-1990). Signatures recorded for the type: Duarte Augusto de Abranches Bizarro (DAAB) (Director); Inocêncio Camacho Rodrigues (ICR) (Governor); José Félix da Costa (JFC) (Director); João da Motta Gomes Júnior (JMGJ) (Director). Demonetized: 24 June 1929. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.