5 peso bolivanos 1962

Common. While specimen notes command a slight premium over circulated examples, the eBay market data shows UNC specimens ranging from $2.77 to $199.99 USD, with most listings clustered in the $4–$10 range, indicating this is a readily available specimen issue. The 2019 catalog value of $50 UNC reflects modest collector interest. The existence of 11 known signature varieties and multiple series (A, T, Z) further suggests a substantial print run. Specimen overprints were standard archival practice and do not indicate scarcity.

The Law of July 13, 1962 marked a significant monetary reform in Bolivia, and this 5 Pesos Bolivianos note reflects the nation's economic focus during this period. The prominent depiction of a petroleum refinery on the reverse underscores Bolivia's growing emphasis on its oil industry as a cornerstone of national development and export revenue. Mayor Gualberto Villarroel López, honored on the obverse, was a significant political figure in Bolivian history, making his portraiture on currency a mark of national importance during this post-revolutionary era.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Mayor Gualberto Villarroel López positioned on the right side, depicted in formal dress with decorative state insignia on his chest, representing his political authority. The left side displays an ornamental frame containing the number 5 and a circular seal featuring the Bolivian coat of arms—an eagle above a shield with flags and national symbols. The reverse showcases a detailed engraving of an industrial petroleum refinery complex, complete with large spherical storage tanks, processing towers, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure, reflecting Bolivia's economic priorities of the era. Both sides employ symmetric decorative frames with scalloped borders containing the denomination numeral, and the entire note is rendered in teal/blue-gray with cream accents. The dual denomination marking (both 'Cinco Pesos Bolivianos' and 'Cinco Mil Bolivianos') appears on the reverse, indicating a redenomination context.

FRONT SIDE: 'Banco Central de Bolivia' (Central Bank of Bolivia) | 'Cinco Pesos Bolivianos' (Five Pesos Bolivianos) | 'La Paz' (La Paz) | 'Ley de 13 de Julio de 1962' (Law of July 13, 1962) | 'Presidente Villarroel' (President Villarroel) | 'Specimen' (Specimen - red overprint). BACK SIDE: 'Banco Central de Bolivia' (Central Bank of Bolivia) | 'Refinería Petrolera' (Petroleum Refinery) | 'Cinco Pesos Bolivianos' (Five Pesos Bolivianos) | 'Cinco Mil Bolivianos' (Five Thousand Bolivianos - indicating dual denomination) | 'Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited' (Printer) | 'Specimen' (Specimen - red overprint).

Intaglio/engraving by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London—a premier security printer renowned for high-security currency production. The note exhibits characteristic fine-line guilloche patterning throughout the background, intricate security borders with repeating geometric patterns, and detailed engraved portraiture and industrial scene work. These techniques provided sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures typical of professional currency production in the early 1960s.

This example is a specimen note marked with a red 'SPECIMEN' overprint, consistent with the P-153s designation (the 's' suffix indicating specimen status). The note carries serial number Z 0000000, typical of specimen copies. According to references, this 1962 series exists in 11 signature varieties and multiple series designations (A, T, Z). The dual denomination marking on the reverse ('Cinco Pesos Bolivianos' and 'Cinco Mil Bolivianos') reflects Bolivia's redenomination context during this period.