100 ARA #14

Front

Julio Argentino Roca (1843–1914), Argentine military officer and two-term president (1880–1886, 1898–1904) who led the Conquest of the Desert campaign expanding Argentine territory into Patagonia and was a dominant figure in the Generation of '80 that modernized Argentina. He appears on this note as part of the Austral currency series introduced during economic reforms to combat hyperinflation in the mid-1980s.

Back

Allegory of Progress, depicted as a classical female figure holding a torch aloft and a caduceus (symbol of commerce), seated with the Argentine coat of arms. This allegorical representation symbolizes Argentina's aspirations for economic advancement and national development during a period of severe monetary instability.

History

The Austral was introduced on June 15, 1985, replacing the Peso Argentino at a rate of 1 Austral = 1,000 Pesos Argentinos during the Alfonsín administration's Plan Austral anti-inflation program. The currency was named after the southern hemisphere (austral meaning 'southern'). Despite initial success, hyperinflation returned by 1989, and the Austral was replaced by the Peso Convertible in 1992 at 1 peso = 10,000 australes. The 100 Australes denomination was issued throughout the series' brief existence and became increasingly devalued as inflation accelerated. This series featured prominent Argentine historical figures and allegorical imagery representing national ideals.