20 Bolivianos 1954, Bolivia
| in Krause book | Number: 140а |
| Years of issue: | 1954 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Contador: Jorge Daniel del Castillo Cano, Superintendente: Victor Maldonado Arce, Gerente Gral.: Eufronio Hinojosa Guzman |
| Serie: | 1945 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 20.12.1945 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 144 x 66 |
| Printer: | TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Paper with an unclear pattern.
Avers:
The engraving on banknote is made after this portrait of Simon Bolivar.
On the right side is Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco (24 July 1783 - 17 December 1830), commonly known as Simon Bolivar, was a Venezuelan military and political leader. Bolívar played a key role in Latin America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians in the history of the Americas.
Following the triumph over the Spanish monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of the first union of independent nations in Hispanic-America, a republic, now known as Gran Colombia, of which he was president from 1819 to 1830. Bolívar is regarded as a hero, visionary, revolutionary, and liberator in Hispanic-America.
During his lifetime, he led Venezuela, Colombia (including Panama at the time), Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire. Admirers claim that he helped lay the foundations for democracy in much of Latin America. 
The coat of arms of Bolivia is on left side.
The coat of arms of Bolivia has a central cartouche surrounded by Bolivian flags, muskets, laurel branches, and has an Andean condor on top.
The central cartouche has a border with ten stars in the bottom, which symbolize the nine Departamentos and the former province Litoral that was taken over by Chile in 1879, and the name of Bolivia in the top section. Within the border the silver mountain Potosí - recognized by a mine entrance — is depicted, with Inti in form of a sun rising above it, and with an alpaca standing next to a palm tree and some wheat. The alpaca stands on a plain that contrasts with the mountain. The mountain and its contrast with the plains are indicative of the geography of Bolivia. The llama is the national animal, related to the alpaca and the items next to it are symbolic of the resources of the nation.
Around the shield there are three Bolivian flags on each side. Behind these are two pairs of crossed rifles that symbolize the struggle for independence. Next to the muskets there are an axe and a red Phrygian hood, which is the symbol of liberty and freedom. The laurel branches are symbolic of peace, and the condor perched upon the shield is symbolic of a willingness to defend the nation and its liberty.
In some depictions of these coat of arms, the two pairs of muskets are replaced by two cannons. Other depictions also have more realistic symbols in the shield.
Denominations in numerals are in all corners and centered. In words - at the bottom and centered.
Revers:
The main image is the mint (Casa de la Moneda) in Potosi, Bolivia and the Mascaron mask.
Potosi at the time of the Spaniards was the main city of South America. But few are aware of this. One of the best museums in Bolivia - the Mint, which is often called the American Escorial, will most fully tell about its significance in the life and history of the country. What is there only you will not find - ethnography, painting, Indian mummies from graves, and, of course, numismatics. The mint itself appeared in Potosi in 1773, before that it already had a predecessor. The building occupies a whole block and is located near the square on November 10 in the very center of the city. In the museum you will see a unique collection of coins. Here are the old coins of all ages and the cars that made them. The mint exposition is extremely diverse. Minerals, originals of world famous painters, armaments, precious jewelry and antique cutlery. And in the neighborhood, under the glass - a few mummies. In order to finally destroy the imagination of the tourist. The symbol of the Mint, and then already the city of Potosi, was the Maskaron mask. The image is not clear what kind of deity or person appeared in the yard in 1865. And until now no one knows who this Mascaron is. There were many versions: the deities of different nations, eminent Indians and famous colonizers of those times were called. According to one of the assumptions, the unknown master so humanized the look of the money itself.
Right and left - obverse and reverse of silver coin 8 Soles 1862, with Simon Bolivar on the reverse, minted by the Mint in Potosi.
Denominations in numerals are in all corners and on right side. In words - at the bottom.
Comments:
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