This Venezuelan banknote represent the 7th denomination of the Bolívar Soberano Series (2018). Bolívars are have been deemed essentially worthless, even within their home country. As rampant hyperinflation has caused all denominations, with the exception of the 500 Bolívares to be retired.
Despite this, Venezuelan Bolívars have found a new home. As an easily affordable item for beginning/young collectors. These collectors are often become attracted, by the colorful illustrations of Venezuela’s wildlife. Often creating decorative displays, with the reverse side out. In honor of that tradition this note will be reviewed reverse first.
Reverse
The Reverse features a Military Macaw, also known as the Green Macaw (Guacamaya Verde) in Spanish. Notably the English named Green Macaw is a different species. Military Macaws inhabit isolated pockets, around the Maracaibo lowlands and the Venezuelan Coastal Range. Military Macaws are often mistaken for the larger Great Military Macaw. Which is larger with an all black beak and features an overall darker shade.
They leave their roosts at dawn in large flocks, searching for seeds and fruit. They leave their roosts at dawn in large flocks, searching for seeds and fruit. Members of these flocks have been document to live between 50-60 years, in the wild. They are most active during morning and the evening hours. Their diet is narrow and limited to a few plant species, relative to their range. Although they have been occasionally observed eating latex, from plumeria trees.
Notably flocks will congregate at "macaw licks", clay deposits found along river banks. The current hypothesis is, macaws utilize clay deposits for removing toxins from the seeds they eat. In addition to provide dietary salts, lacking in their diet.
Waraira Repano
The note's background is an illustration of Waraira Repano National Park. More commonly known as El Ávila and colloquially as "el pulmón de la ciudad", the Lungs of the City. Established in 1958, El Ávila overlooks the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. El Ávila provides a nearby escape from city life, for the residents of Caracas.
Its mountainous forest and valleys are home to more than 100 butterfly, 120 mammal, 20 amphibians, 30 reptiles and 500 bird species. The park is a haven for an isolated population of Military Macaw, which lives on the Coastal Range and neighboring beaches.
El Ávila provides visitors dozens of trails of varying skill levels. Allowing visitors to choose an experience appropriate to their preferences. A number attractions are spread throughout the park, including villages, ruins, waterfalls, and monuments.
Including the longest cable car ride in the world, El Teleférico de Caracas. Which provides a 3.5km (2.17mi) long tram ride to El Ávila Mountain's peak. A round trip costs 100 Bs for Venezuelans and 110 Bs for non-Venezuelans. Tickets are bought at Hotel Humboldt station.
Observe
The vertical observe features Venezuelan independence leader Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816). Who lead the unsuccessful First Republic of Venezuela (1811-1812). Which inspired Simón Bolívar own successful independence movement. The Venezuelan government has decreed, that Miranda will be buried in the Panteón Nacional de Venezuela (National Pantheon of Venezuela). Once his remains are properly located.
Countermeasures
Despite the low value of the Bolívar Soberano, the series utilizes numerous security measures. Both in visible and virtually hidden. The Soberano series alternates between standard and window security strips, throughout it's denominations. This denomination utilizes an embeded security strip. The strip faintly displays "BCV" in sequence, when seen from the reverse. The pentagon above the (red) serial number, is a denomination designator. Which alternates between the denominations within the series. There is a 2-color light puzzle/registration element, below the (black) serial number. Violet (observe) and blue (reverse) segments merge, when back lit. Highlighting a Macaw and star.
Micro-Print
The near entirety of the note is covered in alternating lines and micro-print patterns. Where present the micro-text reads “BCV200”, in sequence. The pattern repeats on all denominations, with the exception of the number (listed denomination). Below the observe's portrait is a radiating floral micro-print pattern. This feature is unique to the 200 Bolivar denomination.
Watermark
The watermark features Simón Bolívar, as seen on the 500 Bolívar Soberano note's observe. Below the watermark is BCV, in electro-typed text. Unfortunately the color pallet and erratic micro-print lines makes capturing the watermark difficult. Although it can be readily seen, in physical copies of the note.
Ultraviolet Gallery
2018 Bolívar Gallery (Observe)
(Gallery features all observe sides of the 2018 Bolívar Soberano)
2018 Bolívar Gallery (Reverse)
(Gallery features all reverse sides of the 2018 Bolívar Soberano)
Additional Notes
This note's dimensions are 156 × 69 mm (6.14 x 2.72in), standard for Bolívar Soberano Series.
The note's observe is a copy of Martín Tovar y Tovar's portrait, Francisco de Miranda.
In addition to participating in the Spanish-American War of Independence. Miranda participated in the American Revolution (1775-83) and French Revolution (1789-99).
An empty cenotaph remains in National Pantheon of Venezuela, in anticipation of the discovery of Miranda's remains.
Miranda name is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris.
A portrait of Miranda is on display at the Palace of Versailles.
After the American Revolution, Miranda founded the "The Great American Reunion" freemason temple in London, England.
Venezuelan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (VRSS-1), is also known as the Francisco Miranda.
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