GTQ – Guatemalan Quetzal
Monetary System
1859: 1 Guatemalan peso = 8 reales
1869: 1 Guatemalan peso = 100 centavos
26.11.1924: 1 Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ) = 100 centavos
2021 Issues
Description: 200.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Light blue, brown, purple, green, yellow, and red. Front: Spanish text; denomination as registration device; Mayan number 200; flag; perched quetzal bird; stylized temple; Sebastian Hurtado, Mariano Valverde, and German Alcantara; clef note in gold-to-green SPARK Orbital. Back: Spanish text; musical score of La Flor del Café (Coffee Flower) by Alcantara; marimba chromatica instrument by Hurtado; and allusion to Noche de luna entre ruinas (Moonlit night among the ruins) by Valverde; perched quetzal bird; flag; Mayan number 200; denomination as registration device. Gold-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized 200 / BG. Watermark: Hurtado, Valverde, Alcantara, and electrotype 200. Printer: G+D Currency Technology. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
2020 (2021) Commemorative Issues
According to a press release dated 3 August 2021, a total of 25 million 20-quetzal notes will be issued to commemorate the bicentennial of the Central American Declaration of Independence. The front depicts Mariano Galvez, one of the signers of the declaration, and the back depicts the signing ceremony which took place on 15 September 1821 at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace of Culture) in Guatemala City.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Blue, pink, green, and red. Front (vertical): Spanish text; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gelvez; facade of Palacio Nacional de la Culture (National Palace of Culture) in Guatemala City; denomination as registration device; flag; Mayan number 20. Back: Spanish text; Mayan number 20; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); quetzal bird perched on branch; denomination as registration device. Windowed security thread with demetalized BG 20. Watermark: Mariano Gelvez and electrotype 20. Printer: GOD Currency Technology. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
2010 – 2018 Issues
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; flag as registration device; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph; flag. No security thread. Watermark (shadow image): None. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; open book; ears of corn; flag; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog; Mayan mask. Back: Spanish text; Mayan mask; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; flag; open book. No security thread. Watermark (Shadow image): Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; flag; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; Mayan mask; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask; flag. No security thread. Watermark: Electrotype CINCO / 5. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, purple, green, orange, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; flag; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man; flag. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flag as registration device; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower; flag. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Mariano Gálvez and electrotype 20. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flag as registration device; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; purple-to-gold SPARK scroll. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower; flag. Windowed security thread with demetalized BANCO DE GUATEMALA 20. Watermark: Mariano Gálvez and electrotype 20. Printer: OBERTHUR fiduciaire. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Orange, purple, green, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Braille ⠼⠑⠚ (50); Mayan man with basket as registration device; flag; stylized temple; finance minister, Carlos O. Zachrisson; SPARK oval. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; men and women with baskets and sacks harvesting coffee berries from trees (corte de cafe); Mayan man with basket; flag. Windowed security thread with demetalized BG 50. Watermark: Carlos O. Zachrisson and electrotype 50. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
2008 – 2017 Issues
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flag as registration device; flying quetzal bird; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask; flag. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: OBERTHUR technologies. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, purple, green, orange, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; flag as registration device; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man; flag. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: OBERTHUR technologies. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flag as registration device; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower; flag. Windowed security thread with demetalized BANCO DE GUATEMALA 20. Watermark: Mariano Gálvez and electrotype 20. Printer: OBERTHUR technologies. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Brown, purple, green, blue, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; flag; Mayan man with staff as registration device; stylized temple; bishop and university founder, Francisco Marroquín; seal in blue-to-green SPARK. Back: Spanish text; circular seal; Mayan glyphs; flower beds, fountain, and pillars in courtyard of University of San Carlos de Borromeo in Antigua (Universidad de San Carlos de Borromeo, Fundada en 1676, Antes Colegio Mayor, Antigua Guatemala); Mayan man with staff; flag. Holographic windowed security thread. Watermark: Francisco Marroquín and electrotype 100. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 200.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Light blue, brown, purple, green, yellow, and red. Front: Spanish text; perched quetzal bird; flag; coat of arms; Mayan glyph on green-to-blue OVI patch; stylized temple; Sebastián Hurtado, Mariano Valverde, and German Alcántara. Back: Spanish text; musical score of La Flor del Café (Coffee Flower) by Alcántara; marimba chromática instrument by Hurtado; and allusion to Noche de luna entre ruinas (Moonlit night among the ruins) by Valverde; flag; perched quetzal bird. Windowed security thread with demetalized 200BG. Watermark: Hurtado, Valverde, Alcántara, and electrotype 200. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
2006 – 2008 Issues
In the 2000s, Guatemala began switching printers from one date variety to the next, which lead to many minor varieites in the images as the designs were rendered by each firm’s artists, or changes in fonts used for serial numbers, for example. Such variations are to be expected even if not necessarily described in these listings.
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph. No security thread. Watermark (shadow image): None. Printer: Varieties. 156 x 67 mm. Polymer (Guardian).
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, pink, green, and orange. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: CBN. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower. Solid security thread. Watermark: Mariano Gálvez and electrotype 20. Printer: DE LA RUE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Orange, purple, green, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with basket as registration device; stylized temple; finance minister, Carlos O. Zachrisson. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; men and women with baskets and sacks harvesting coffee berries from trees (corte de cafe); Mayan man with basket. Solid security thread. Watermark: Carlos O. Zachrisson and electrotype 50. Printer: DE LA RUE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Brown, purple, green, blue, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with staff as registration device; stylized temple; bishop and university founder, Francisco Marroquín. Back: Spanish text; circular seal; Mayan glyphs; flower beds, fountain, and pillars in courtyard of University of San Carlos de Borromeo in Antigua (Universidad de San Carlos de Borromeo, Fundada en 1676, Antes Colegio Mayor, Antigua Guatemala); Mayan man with staff. Holographic stripe. Solid security thread. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
2003 – 2007 Issues
Notes dated 2003 and later have only two, not three, signatures: Gerente General and Presidente.
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: F. C. OBERTHUR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, pink, green, and orange. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: FRANÇOIS-CHARLES OBERTHUR FIDUCIAIRE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: FRANÇOIS-CHARLES OBERTHUR FIDUCIAIRE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
2001 Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with different screen trap patterns, rosettes at lower left front, different embossing on the 50-quetzal note, a holographic stripe on the 100-queztal note instead of the embossed temple, and new printer imprints.
Description: 50.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Orange, purple, green, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with basket as registration device; stylized temple; finance minister, Carlos O. Zachrisson. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; men and women with baskets and sacks harvesting coffee berries from trees (corte de cafe); Mayan man with basket. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Brown, purple, green, blue, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with staff as registration device; stylized temple; bishop and university founder, Francisco Marroquín. Back: Spanish text; circular seal; Mayan glyphs; flower beds, fountain, and pillars in courtyard of University of San Carlos de Borromeo in Antigua (Universidad de San Carlos de Borromeo, Fundada en 1676, Antes Colegio Mayor, Antigua Guatemala); Mayan man with staff. Holographic stripe. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
1998 – 1999 Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with slightly different engravings and new printer imprints.
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: B A BANKNOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, pink, green, and orange. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: B A BANKNOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Brown, purple, green, blue, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with staff as registration device; stylized temple; bishop and university founder, Francisco Marroquín; embossed temple. Back: Spanish text; circular seal; Mayan glyphs; flower beds, fountain, and pillars in courtyard of University of San Carlos de Borromeo in Antigua (Universidad de San Carlos de Borromeo, Fundada en 1676, Antes Colegio Mayor, Antigua Guatemala); Mayan man with staff. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: B A BANKNOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
1996 Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with slightly different engravings and new printer imprints.
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: H&S. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
1994 – 1995 Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with different screen trap patterns and new printer imprints.
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: F-C OBERTHUR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: TDLR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, pink, green, and orange. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: F-C OBERTHUR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT MUNICH. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Orange, purple, green, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with basket as registration device; stylized temple; finance minister, Carlos O. Zachrisson; embossed item. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; men and women with baskets and sacks harvesting coffee berries from trees (corte de cafe); Mayan man with basket. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE LIMITED. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Brown, purple, green, blue, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with staff as registration device; stylized temple; bishop and university founder, Francisco Marroquín; embossed temple. Back: Spanish text; circular seal; Mayan glyphs; flower beds, fountain, and pillars in courtyard of University of San Carlos de Borromeo in Antigua (Universidad de San Carlos de Borromeo, Fundada en 1676, Antes Colegio Mayor, Antigua Guatemala); Mayan man with staff. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
1993 – 1995 CBN Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with different screen trap patterns. All of these notes were printed by Canadian Bank Note.
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: CANADIAN BANK NOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: CBN (lower left back). 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, pink, green, and orange. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: CBN. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
1992 Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with more colorful backs and different screen trap patterns. The four lower denominations were printed by François-Charles Oberthur, and the three larger denominations were printed by British American Bank Note Company.
Description: 1.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Green, orange, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan glyph as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, José María Orellana; Mayan bird. Back: Spanish text; standing Mayan man and glyphs from jade Leyden plate (placa de Leyden); trees and Bank of Guatemala headquarters building in Guatemala City (Edificio del Banco de Guatemala); circular Mayan carving (ara de Tikal); Mayan glyph. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: F-C OBERTHUR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 5.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Purple, green, orange, red, and blue. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; ears of corn; Mayan mask as registration device; stylized temple with glyphs; president and general, Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón; seated howling dog. Back: Spanish text; school scene with girl writing on blackboard, students at desks, and teacher helping boy write in book; Mayan mask. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: F-C OBERTHUR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Red, pink, green, and orange. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan seated man as registration device; stylized temple; president and general, Miguel García Granados; Mayan carving. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; 1872 session of the National Legislative assembly (Sesion de la Asamblea Nacional Legislativa de 1872); Mayan seated man. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: F-C OBERTHUR. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Violet, light blue, green, purple, and black. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with potted flower as registration device; stylized temple; forefather and head of state, Mariano Gálvez; embossed glyph. Back: Spanish text; Mayan carving; standing and seated delegates signing the declaration of independence of Central America (firma del acta de la independencia de Centroamerica); Mayan man with potted flower. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: B A BANKNOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Orange, purple, green, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with basket as registration device; stylized temple; finance minister, Carlos O. Zachrisson; embossed item. Back: Spanish text; Mayan glyphs; men and women with baskets and sacks harvesting coffee berries from trees (corte de cafe); Mayan man with basket. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: B A BANKNOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 GTQ – Guatemala Quetzal Size: 156 x 67 mm
Brown, purple, green, blue, and red. Front: Spanish text; flying quetzal bird; Mayan man with staff as registration device; stylized temple; bishop and university founder, Francisco Marroquín; embossed temple. Back: Spanish text; circular seal; Mayan glyphs; flower beds, fountain, and pillars in courtyard of University of San Carlos de Borromeo in Antigua (Universidad de San Carlos de Borromeo, Fundada en 1676, Antes Colegio Mayor, Antigua Guatemala); Mayan man with staff. Solid security thread. Watermark: Tecún Umán. Printer: B A BANKNOTE. 156 x 67 mm. Paper.
Bank of Guatemala
Banco de Guatemala
Following the revolution of October 1944, the Banco de Guatemala (Spanish: Bank of Guatemala, BDG) was created by the Second Monetary and Banking Reform decree no. 215, taking over the right to issue notes from the Banco Central de Guatemala.
More Information
• According to an elPeriodico article dated 18 April 2008, Guatemala has authorized 200-, 500-, and 1,000-quetzal notes. The Q200 was issued in 2010; no word yet on when the other two denominations will be issued, although their designs have been revealed. The gray-colored Q500 will be dedicated to national literature, with a portrait of poet, novelist, and diplomat Miguel Ángel Asturias on the front, and an illustration of the Mayan sacred text Popol Vuh on the back. The ocher-color Q1,000 will be dedicated to the patrimony of Guatemala, with an illustration of the faces of the different cultures in the country on the front.
• As soon as current stocks are exhausted, the Banco de Guatemala will issue new 5-quetzal notes dated 2018 and printed by Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych S.A.
