1 HNL #245

Front

Lempira (died 1537), indigenous Lenca ruler and national hero of Honduras who led resistance against Spanish conquistador forces in the 1530s. He organized confederation of indigenous tribes and defended mountain strongholds until he was killed, allegedly during peace negotiations. He is revered as a symbol of indigenous resistance and Honduran sovereignty; the national currency (the lempira) is named in his honor. The note features the national coat of arms at left showing an oval with a volcano, two towers, cornucopias, and quiver, encircled by motto 'REPUBLICA DE HONDURAS LIBRE SOBERANA E INDEPENDIENTE 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821'.

Back

Ruins of Copán (Ruinas de Copán), the most important site of the ancient Maya civilization located in western Honduras near the Guatemalan border. Copán flourished as a major ceremonial and political center between the 5th and 9th centuries CE and is renowned for its intricate hieroglyphic stairway, stelae, and carved sculptures. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and represents Honduras's rich pre-Columbian cultural heritage. The back depicts Maya stelae and pyramidal structures within the archaeological complex.

History

This 1 lempira note belongs to the 2000 series issued by the Banco Central de Honduras, dated 14 December 2000. The lempira currency was introduced in 1931, replacing the peso at par. This paper series was gradually replaced by polymer notes beginning in 2010, with the 1 lempira denomination being among the first to transition. The note was printed by Canadian Bank Note Company and features traditional intaglio printing with security threads and watermarks. The choice of Lempira as the central figure reinforces national identity rooted in indigenous resistance to colonialism.