COSTA RICA. Banco Internacional. 2 Colones, 1936. P-167. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. Printed by Waterlow and Sons. This is perhaps the most iconic Costa Rican note, and one of the most passionately collected banknotes in all of numismatics. Tied with only two others as the finest graded while also reaching the coveted gem status at PMG. Sitting proudly with the other two examples on the top of the population report, this note boasts complete originality, bright colors and the striking portrait of Mona Lisa at center. PMG has graded over 90 examples with the majority of them being in the VF level or worse. This cataloguer has handled countless Mona Lisa notes without ever seeing one this nice. We mark this as a significant opportunity for passionate Latin American collectors as well as serious general world collectors since this note is likely to be tucked away once it crosses the block.
