Issued in 1990 by the Central Bank of Brazil, this provisional 50 Cruzeiros banknote was created by overprinting existing 50 Cruzados Novos notes during the currency transition. The obverse features a portrait of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, one of Brazil’s most prominent poets, alongside a view of his hometown Itabira, and an excerpt from his poem Canção Amiga.
The reverse shows Drummond seated at a desk, writing—symbolizing his literary legacy—with further excerpts from his poetry appearing in the background. The note is printed on cotton-based paper and includes a watermark of a Liberty head, but it does not include a security thread.
This banknote measures 140 × 65 mm and was part of a short-lived transitional series circulated during Brazil’s early 1990s monetary reforms.
Obverse
Portrait of Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-1987), with the houses and mountains of Itabira, MG appearing in the background and below an excerpt from the author’s manuscript, entitled “Prece de um mineiro no Rio” (Prayer of a Mineiro in Rio).
Rectangular stamp of 50 Cruzeiros on the note.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL 50
50
CRUZEIROS
CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL
Desprendido de imagens que se rompem
a um capricho dos deuses, tu regressas
ao que, fora do tempo, é tempo infindo,
no secreto semblante da verdade
Carlos Drummond de Andrade
DEUS SEJA LOUVADO
PRESIDENTE DO
CONSELHO MONETÁRIO NACIONAL
PRESIDENTE DO
BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL
50 CINQÜENTA
CRUZADOS NOVOS
Translation:
Central Bank of Brazil 50
50 Cruzeiros
Brazilian Mint
Detached from images that break / at a whim of the gods, you return
which, outside of time, is endless time, / in the secret countenance of truth
Carlos Drummond de Andrade
God be praised
President of the National Monetary Council
President of the Central Bank of Brazil
50 Fifty Cruzados Novos.
Reverse
A picture depicts the poet at his desk, in the office of writing. To the right of the engraving, the verses of the poem Canção Amiga are reproduced.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
50
Eu preparo uma canção
em que minha mãe se reconheça,
todas as mães se reconheçam,
e que fale como dois olhos.
Caminho por uma rua
que passa em muitos países.
Se não me vêem, eu vejo
e saúdo velhos amigos.
Eu distribuo um segredo
como quem ama ou sorri.
No jeito mais natural
dois carinhos se procuram.
Minha vida, nossas vidas
formam um só diamante.
Aprendi novas palavras
e tornei outras mais belas.
Eu preparo uma canção
que faça acordar os homens
e adormecer as crianças.
50 CINQÜENTA CRUZADOS NOVOS
Translation:
50
I prepare a song / in which my mother recognizes herself,
all mothers recognize each other, / and speak like two eyes.
Way down a street / that happens in many countries.
If they don’t see me, I see / and greet old friends.
I distribute a secret / like someone who loves or smiles.
In the most natural way / two cuddles are looking for each other.
My life, our lives / form a single diamond.
I learned new words / and made others more beautiful.
I prepare a song / that makes men wake up / and put the kids to sleep.
50 Fifty Cruzados Novos
Watermark
Effigy of the Republic
© Wilson Roberto Vasques Nunes
Signatures
| Maílson Ferreira da Nóbrega (MFN) | President of the National Monetary Council |  |
| Wadico Waldir Bucchi (WWB) | President of the Central Bank of Brazil |  |
Printer
Casa da Moeda do Brasil, Brazil
Features
| Issuer | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil) |
| Ruling authority | Federative Republic of Brazil (1967-date) |
| Type | Standard circulation banknotes |
| Year | 1990 |
| Value | 50 Cruzeiros (50 BRE) |
| Currency | Cruzeiro (1990-1993) |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | 140 × 65 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Technique | Overprinted, Offset |
| Issued | 15 April 1990 |
| Demonetized | 31 July 1993 |
