Amy writes: I have what looks like Mexican currency. It has a one at the corners and a picture of this guy whos name is supposedly JOSE SIMEON CANAS. At the top of the bill it has these words “EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR” and under it it has these words “PAGARA EN EFECTIVO AL PORTADOR” and in a corner of the bill it has 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 1972 and UN COLON in the center on the other side it has a picture of this guy and his name is supposedly CRISTOBAL COLON and it has what looks to be a date stamped on it: San Salvador, 7 de Febrero de 1975.
The country of El Salvador exists in Central America bordered by Guatemala, Honduras the Pacific Ocean. Your note is a series 1972 one colón and features José Cañas at right, UN COLON at center. EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR (The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador) is at top and under the title, PAGARA EN EFECTIVO AL PORTADOR (“Will pay in cash to the bearer” or a better translation, “will pay to the bearer on demand”).
The reverse shows Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) at center, a script printed signature at right and under “San Salvador, 7 de Febrero de 1975”. Approximate collector value in average circulated condition about US 50 cents.
