5 cruzeiros 1962

Common. This note circulated widely during its issue period (1962-1964) with substantial print runs indicated by the series range 3749-4148 and 4233-4700 documented in the realbanknotes.com catalog. eBay market data confirms abundance: uncirculated examples consistently sell for under $2.50, with most transactions in the $0.99-$2.25 range, indicating strong supply relative to collector demand. Even PMG-graded examples in higher grades (65-67) rarely exceed $26, a price point characteristic of common notes with modest collector interest. The 2019 catalog valuation of $0.75 UNC further supports this assessment.

This note was issued during a transitional period in Brazilian monetary history, between the 1962 introduction of the Cruzeiro currency and the early 1960s economic reforms. The obverse portrait honors Barão do Rio Branco (José Maria da Silva Paranhos), a prominent 19th-century Brazilian diplomat and statesman instrumental in establishing Brazil's borders through skillful negotiation and legal argument. The reverse vignette celebrating the 'Conquest of the Amazon' reflects the Brazilian government's emphasis on national territorial consolidation and development during the early Republic, commemorating the colonial expansion into the Amazon region that defined much of Brazil's continental expanse.

The obverse centers on a portrait of Barão do Rio Branco, depicted in left-facing profile within an intricately framed oval medallion, showing him in formal attire with his characteristic mustache. This portrait is surrounded by ornate Victorian-era decorative elements including elaborate scrollwork, floral motifs, and geometric patterns rendered in brown, red, black, and green inks. The denomination '5' appears in four corner circular medallions with decorative surrounds. The reverse presents a detailed historical vignette depicting the colonial conquest of the Amazon region, with multiple period-dressed figures, colonial architecture and fortifications, vegetation, and a waterway or vessel—a sophisticated allegorical representation of Brazil's territorial expansion. Both sides employ fine-line engraving with careful hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and security through complexity.

FRONT: 'REPÚBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL' (Republic of the United States of Brazil); 'TESOURO NACIONAL' (National Treasury); 'CINCO CRUZEIROS' (Five Cruzeiros); 'SÉRIE 4182A' (Series 4182A); 'ESTAMPA 2A' (Print 2A); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (printer identification); 'MINISTÉRIO DA FAZENDA' (Ministry of Finance); 'CAIXA DE AMORTIZAÇÃO' (Amortization Fund). BACK: 'REPÚBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL' (Republic of the United States of Brazil); 'CONQUISTA DO AMAZONAS' (Conquest of the Amazon); '5' (denomination); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (printer identification).

Intaglio engraving (letterpress), executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company Limited, the renowned London security printer. The note exhibits characteristic intaglio features: fine, precise line work throughout the portrait and decorative elements, multi-layered colored overprints applied separately for serial numbers and stamps, and intricate engraved vignettes with sophisticated hatching patterns. The crisp, raised tactile quality of the engraved elements and the fine detail reproduction visible in the uncirculated condition confirm professional security printing standards of the era.

This specific example is identified as Pick 176d, the Tesouro Nacional variant. The visual analysis confirms characteristic features of this variety: 'TESOURO NACIONAL' text above the portrait (distinguishing it from the earlier P-158 'Valor Recebido' variant), print designation 'ESTAMPA 2A' visible on both sides, and series number 4182A falling within the documented range. The 1964 issue date (per realbanknotes.com) and Caixa de Amortização imprint are consistent with the final variant of this denomination. No rare overprint varieties or limited serial number ranges are apparent from the visual data.