5000 pesos 1977
Market Prices
15 salesAbout This Note
This is an Argentine 5000 Pesos banknote from 1977 (Pick P-305b) in Uncirculated condition, featuring a striking multicolored design with blue and olive-green tones on the obverse and a detailed engraving of Mar del Plata's coastal cityscape on the reverse. The note displays General José de San Martín's portrait in formal attire on the obverse and showcases excellent fine-line engraving work characteristic of 1970s Argentine currency production, with visible age patina consistent with its vintage but maintaining the crispness expected of an uncirculated example.
Common. The eBay sales history demonstrates consistent and regular market activity with numerous uncirculated examples selling for $1-2 between 2009-2015, with a 2019 catalog valuation of $1 UNC. The multiple signature and color varieties indicate a substantial print run. Current market prices (under $20 even for PMG-graded examples) and steady availability confirm this as a standard circulation-issue note of the 1977 series with no print run restrictions or recall status.
Issued during Argentina's military period following the 1976 coup, this 1977 banknote represents the Central Bank's currency production during a significant political transition. The reverse prominently features Mar del Plata, a major Argentine coastal city and resort destination, reflecting the nation's economic geography and cultural identity during the late 1970s. General José de San Martín, the independence hero depicted on the obverse, symbolizes Argentine national heritage and continuity with the country's foundational history.
The obverse features a formal right-facing portrait of General José de San Martín (1778-1850), Argentina's independence military leader, rendered in fine blue engraving against a multicolored underprint of yellow, pink, and lavender tones. The design incorporates ornate decorative elements including rosette sunburst patterns in the corners, scrollwork borders, and geometric patterns typical of high-security banknote design of the era. The reverse presents a detailed landscape engraving of Mar del Plata's waterfront with prominent high-rise buildings, sandy beach, and architectural features of the city, with the Argentine coat of arms and sun emblem displayed on the left side. Denomination numerals appear in large decorative form with intricate internal patterning on both sides.
OBVERSE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA' (Central Bank of the Argentine Republic), '5000' and 'CINCO MIL PESOS' (Five Thousand Pesos), 'Gral SAN MARTIN' (General San Martín), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'GERENTE GENERAL' (General Manager), Serial number '08.814.211-B'. REVERSE: 'REPUBLICA ARGENTINA' (Argentine Republic), '5000' and 'CINCO MIL PESOS' (Five Thousand Pesos), 'MAR DEL PLATA' (name of coastal city), 'CASA DE MONEDA DE LA NACION' (National Mint).
Intaglio engraving (fine-line engraving) executed by the National Mint (Casa de Moneda de la Nación), employing traditional multi-plate color printing technique. The visual characteristics show the deep, precise line work and fine detail rendering characteristic of high-quality intaglio production, with careful color registration across multiple passes typical of 1970s Argentine banknote manufacturing standards.
This note is Pick P-305b, indicating it is the second variety within the P-305 designation. Known varieties for this series include: 2 signature varieties (different authorized signatories), color varieties in the underprint (yellow or green base with maroon or ochre accents), and the 'Without Decreto de Ley' variant noted in catalog references. The serial number '08.814.211-B' and 'SERIE B' designation indicate this is from a later printing series. The specific signature combination and color underprint combination of this individual note would determine its precise sub-variety classification within P-305b.
