I got one of these notes the other day. I noticed someone wrote their name, covering the entire bill. While looking this note up, I find many others that have a signature on them too. Was this common practice to sign your name on the notes? What was it for? http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...TfL%2B8%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_500wt_1287
It is a validation signature applied by the issuing authority. There are many different signatures on Brazilian notes from this period.
As Lettow states it is common from this era, and a particular nuisance for collectors like me that don't want that ugly signature defacing some lovely Latina.
Please provide a link or picture showing a lovely Latina. The seller from the above ebay link just shows the front of the notes which depicts some old man. Finding other sources showing both sides of the note has proven unsuccessful.