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The Tiger Cats of Paria: 50 Bolívar Soberano (Venezuela, 2018)-Founder's Article

Updated: Apr 13

This Venezuelan banknote represent the 5th 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 Northern Tiger Cat, also known as the Cunagaro in local Spanish. Tiger Cats, as known as “oncilla” are distant relatives to the Ocelot and Margay. Tiger cats are smaller than their Ocelot relatives. With a slender physique similar to a long domestic cat. They range throughout the northern portions of South America and in isolated pockets in Central America.


While most prefer living in the tropical rainforests, of the Amazon basin. Some Tiger Cat populations have been found in the Andean cloud forest. The desert Caatinga shrublands of the eastern coast of Brazil. And the sheltered tropical beaches, of the Gulf of Paria.


The Península de Paria

The note's background is an illustration of Península de Paria National Park. Founded on March 7, 1979, under Official Gazette No. 2417. Península de Paria is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Paria and the Caribbean Sea. The peninsula by formed from the edge of the Venezuelan Coastal ( Mountain) Range.

The park provides a range of recreational activities. Focused on the parks rivers, mountains, and beaches. Visitors can hike the park's highest peak, Cerro El Patao 1070m (3510 ft) and Cerro Humo 1371m (4498ft). Or visit one of the peninsula’s 6 rivers, which flow down the mountains into the Gulf of Paria.

Observe

The vertical observe features Venezuelan independence leader Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830). Who was Simón Bolívar's closest friend and Second-in-Comand. De Sucre was assassinated by a conspiracy of anti-Bolivar officers. Which intended to form/lead a break-away nation (Ecuador), created from southeastern Grand Colombia.


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 a windowed security strip. The strip displays "BCV" in sequence, when back lit. The Star 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. Dark orange (observe) and light orange (reverse) segments merge, when back lit. Highlighting a Oncilla 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 “BCV50”, in sequence. The pattern repeats on all denominations, with the exception of the number (listed denomination). Below the observe's portrait is a micro-print pattern signature. This signature is unique to the 50 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 Venezuelan government has decreed, that De Sucre will be buried in the Panteón Nacional de Venezuela (National Pantheon of Venezuela). Once his remains are properly located.

  • De Sucre served as President of Bolivia (1825-1828)

  • De Sucre briefly served as President of Peru (23 June 1823-17 July 1823)

  • The constitutional capital of Bolivia (Sucre) is named in his honor.

  • Ecuador capital (Quito) has named both it's old and new international airports, in his honor.

  • Venezuelan Remote Sensing Satellite-2 (VRSS-2), is also known as the Antonio José de Sucre.

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