Influences: Costa Rica Numismatics (monedas y billetes)

The Golden Standing Woman - 2 Shields Gold Coin from Costa Rica, 1845.

In 2018, I came across a historic gold coin from the time of Costa Rica's Independence that impacted me and reoriented my painting route. The engraved woman became my influence and motivation to draw and paint and bring the anonymous coin to light and embellish it with cultural and ethnic designs from Costa Rica and other cultures with interesting connections to our identity. The golden indigenous woman inspires the "Golden Nuances Collection".

La India Parada, (Standing indigenous woman) Fabiola De Ford, acrylic on canvas
Representing the one who went from slavery to freedom, from insecurity to strength, from ruins to gardens of flowers and trees. I dedicate it to those beautiful and brave women and mothers who flourish in their own identity and freedom.

 

Coffee Pricess Scarf

 

Collection Eco- Banknotes Chas been inspired by the current Costa Rican banknotes, issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), have been awarded the "Best New Banknote Series in Latin America 2021" by Reconnaissance International for the entire new series, which features flora and fauna and a host of new features.

The judges highlighted the references to Costa Rica's flora, fauna and ecosystems in each of the banknotes. "They clearly say 'this is us, this is our country'," they said.

 

The banknotes currently in circulation are in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 colones. They feature the country's main microclimates on one side and outstanding men and women in Costa Rican culture, science, education and politics on the other.

The artist and textile designer Fabiola De Ford has dedicated this new 2023 collection to the theme of numismatics, and has used her art and design to pay tribute to the beauty of each banknote. She has designed scarves, beach bags, suitcases, cosmetic bags and other functional items for original gifts that represent Costa Rica and showcase contemporary fashion with a cultural identity.

 Collection Love ¢5 

For ladies and gentlemen, this Billete ¢5 Collection is extraordinary. I am sure you have never seen scarves representing Costa Rica full of numismatic history and elegance like these. 

  • The five colones banknote holds significant cultural and historical importance for Costa Rica.  This banknote has been considered as the most important and popular of contemporary Costa Rican numismatics, internationally it is a banknote that has been included among the most beautiful in the world.  Some characteristics:

Printing House: Thomas de la Rue & Company Limited
Emission: From 1968 to 1992
Replacement: As of December 26, 1986 by coins of the same face value of ₡5 (Five Colones), dated 1985.
Withdrawn from circulation: January 31, 2004.

Obverse of the banknote:
Myrtle
The orchid (Guaria Morada). The drawing of the two purple guarias was made by Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero (1915-1981) Ex-president of the Republic.
Rafael Yglesias Castro


Reverse of the banknote:
Illustrates the allegory of “Commerce and Agriculture of Costa Rica” - oil on canvas owned by the National Theater (Recognized as a national monument by La Gaceta No. 292, Decree No. 3632 of December 24, 1965, protected by Law 7555 Law of Architectural Historical Heritage (year 1995).
It “represents” an everyday scene of Costa Rica at the end of the XIX century. The painting was made by the Italian master Aleardo Villa, who created this work in Milan, Italy, from information sent from Costa Rica by letters and later brought by ship, Villa was never in the country.