1971 – Chile 1,000 Escudos Banknote - UNC – Banco Central de Chile “José Miguel Carrera & Casa de los Carrera” Issue

1971 – Chile 1,000 Escudos Banknote - UNC – Banco Central de Chile “José Miguel Carrera & Casa de los Carrera” Issue
CA$15.00

This 1971 Chile 1,000 Escudos banknote, issued by the Banco Central de Chile, honors José Miguel Carrera (1785–1821), a founding hero of Chile’s independence and one of the nation’s most charismatic military leaders. The obverse features Carrera in full military attire, his gaze firm and resolute, surrounded by intricate geometric guilloché patterns and laurel branches symbolizing victory and honor. Printed in elegant violet, blue, and olive tones, the note reflects the exceptional engraving quality of the Casa de Moneda de Chile, marking a period of artistic and patriotic renaissance in Chilean currency design.

Below the portrait appears Carrera’s stirring proclamation:
“Ha llegado la hora de la independencia americana, nadie puede evitarla.”
(“The hour of American independence has arrived; no one can prevent it.”)

The reverse showcases the Casa de los Carrera, the family estate of José Miguel Carrera, located in Santiago. Its peaceful colonial courtyard and central stone fountain are depicted with exquisite linework, contrasting the revolutionary intensity of Carrera’s life. To the left, Chile’s coat of arms appears, bearing the motto “Por la Razón o la Fuerza” (“By Reason or by Force”).

Adding cultural resonance, the note includes a quotation from Pablo Neruda’s Canto General:
“Dijiste libertad antes que nadie, cuando el susurro iba de piedra en piedra, escondido en los patios, humillado.”
(“You spoke of freedom before anyone else, when whispers passed from stone to stone, hidden in courtyards, humiliated.”)

This design unites Chile’s art, literature, and history, paying tribute to the enduring legacy of its independence and the poetic soul of its people.

Details:

  • Country: Chile

  • Denomination: 1,000 Escudos

  • Date Issued: 1971

  • Issuer: Banco Central de Chile

  • Front Design: Portrait of José Miguel Carrera with laurel wreath and denomination “MIL ESCUDOS”

  • Back Design: Casa de los Carrera with fountain and Chilean coat of arms

  • Color Scheme: Violet, olive, and blue

  • Printer: Casa de Moneda de Chile

  • Serial Number: A 11 – 1347354

  • Dimensions: Approx. 150 × 75 mm

  • Language: Spanish

  • Text on Note: “Ha llegado la hora de la independencia americana, nadie puede evitarla.” – Carrera