The largest Buenos Aires area seria size banknote is the 500 pesos note of the Casa de Moneda, dated August 1, 1849. We use the word seria because no one is absolutely certain that, indeed, it was printed and then consequently circulated in this time period. The respective plate lies in the Museum of Juaretche. It's measurements are 220 x 145 mm, which gives it a surface of 31,900mm2.

It's vignette is a view of the river from Buenos Aires with a mythological image of Mercury flying over the scene. Plate re-printings are known to have taken place at the end of the 19th Century or at the beginning of the 20th.

The following size corresponds to a banknote from the first National Bank (Banco Nacional). It is a 1826 20 peso note whose dimensions are 215 x 132 mm, that is to say a surface of 28m,380 mm2. It deals with a design printed in Buenos Aires. It contains an image of the National Seal in the left corner.

The third size is that of the macrobillete (macronote) consisting of a 1000 pesos note with the Law (Ley) of September 27, 1897, issued by the clearinghouse in 1901 with the "Effigy of Progress." This one measures 220mm wide and 127mm high and has a surface of 27,940 mm2.

Fourth place is occupied by the 1826 50 Pesos banknote, issued by the Banco Nacional. It belongs to the same series of the note specimen mentioned in the second paragraph above. It carries a National Seal printed in the center of the note. Its measurements are 205 x 120 which comes out to a surface area of 24,600 mm2.

SOURCE: El Telegrafo del Centro, Ano 8, Numero 29, August 2003, Buenos Aires