10 VEB #568

Front

Simón Bolívar (1783–1830), Venezuelan military and political leader who led Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama to independence from the Spanish Empire. Known as El Libertador, he is the most influential figure in Latin American independence movements and remains the paramount national hero of Venezuela, honored on virtually all Venezuelan currency. The front displays the national coat of arms of Venezuela with the motto 'INDEPENDENCIA 19 DE ABRIL DE 1810' and 'FEDERACION 20 DE FEBRERO DE 1859' alongside 'REPUBLICA DE VENEZUELA', with decorative flora including indigenous plants.

Back

Dual portraits of Simón Bolívar (left, labeled 'BOLIVAR-LIBERTADOR') and Antonio José de Sucre (right, labeled 'MARISCAL SUCRE'). Sucre (1795–1830) was Bolívar's closest ally and finest general, serving as President of Bolivia and leading the decisive Battle of Ayacucho (1824) that secured South American independence. The back bears the date 'ENERO-27-1976' and the text 'DIEZ BOLIVARES PAGADEROS AL PORTADOR EN LAS OFICINAS DEL BANCO' (Ten Bolívares payable to bearer at the bank's offices).

History

This note belongs to the 1971–1989 series of Venezuelan bolívares issued by the Banco Central de Venezuela. The printed date 'ENERO-27-1976' (January 27, 1976) indicates the specific issue date for this printing. This series featured portraits of independence heroes and remained in circulation until the 1989 monetary reform. The dual portrait of Bolívar and Sucre emphasizes Venezuela's founding role in Latin American independence. Venezuela experienced currency reforms in 2008 (Bolívar Fuerte, removing 3 zeros) and 2018 (Bolívar Soberano, removing 5 zeros), making these old bolívares demonetized. The American Bank Note Company printed Venezuelan currency extensively during this period under contract with the Banco Central de Venezuela.