20 VEB #570

Front

The Battle of Lake Maracaibo (24 July 1823), the decisive naval engagement that secured Venezuelan independence from Spain. The scene depicts Admiral José Prudencio Padilla's patriot fleet engaging and defeating the Spanish royalist squadron commanded by Captain Ángel Laborde y Navarro, ending Spanish naval presence in northern South America. This victory, fought near the entrance to Lake Maracaibo in present-day Zulia State, came two years after Bolívar's land victories and is celebrated as one of the most important naval battles in Latin American independence history.

Back

Morrocoy turtle (Chelonoidis carbonaria), also known as the red-footed tortoise, a terrestrial species native to northern South America including Venezuela. Found in tropical forests, savannas and dry forest habitats throughout the country, this tortoise is culturally significant in Venezuela and represents the nation's biodiversity. The species faces habitat loss but remains an emblematic animal of Venezuelan fauna.

History

This note belongs to the Venezuelan Bolívar series issued by the Banco Central de Venezuela during the late 1990s and early 2000s, before the 2008 currency redenomination that introduced the Bolívar Fuerte (VEF) at a ratio of 1000:1. The front commemorates the Battle of Lake Maracaibo (1823), the final major naval battle of the Venezuelan War of Independence. The 20 Bolívares denomination was a mid-range value in everyday circulation before hyperinflation rendered it nearly worthless. Serial number N72222677 visible on the reverse. The note was demonetized on 1 January 2008 when the Bolívar Fuerte replaced the old Bolívar. No known public serial-year encoding identified for Banco Central de Venezuela. The exact issue year cannot be determined from visible evidence; the design style and security features suggest late 1990s to early 2000s production, but without additional catalogue reference or visible date, a precise year cannot be assigned.