5 escudos 1945

Common. While this note is attractive and historically significant, the 5 Escudos denomination from 1945 was issued in substantial quantities for circulation throughout Cape Verde during the Portuguese colonial period. The eBay pricing data supports this assessment, with catalogue values showing UNC examples trading around $150 as of 2016, and more recent sales showing VF examples selling for under $50. Print runs for colonial-era Portuguese banknotes were generally large, and surviving examples in uncirculated condition, though aesthetically appealing, are not rare or difficult to obtain in the current market.

This 1945 issue represents Cape Verde's monetary system during the Estado Novo period of Portuguese colonial rule, as indicated by the 'Colonia Portuguesa' designation on the obverse. The prominent depiction of Bartolomeu Dias, the 15th-century Portuguese navigator who rounded the Cape of Good Hope, reflects Portugal's emphasis on its maritime heritage and colonial legitimacy. The allegorical woman and ships on the reverse symbolize the economic and maritime importance of the overseas territories within the Portuguese imperial framework.

The obverse prominently features a right-facing profile portrait of Bartolomeu Dias, the 15th-century Portuguese explorer honored for his navigation of the Cape of Good Hope, rendered in fine engraved detail wearing period 16th-17th century clothing with a distinctive hat. To the left of the portrait is a circular maritime medallion containing a detailed sailing ship, symbolizing Portugal's naval heritage. The Portuguese coat of arms/national seal is centered at the bottom, with ornate decorative corner ornaments featuring filigree patterns and laurel wreaths throughout. The reverse displays a classical allegorical female figure in the center vignette, seated and gazing toward multiple sailing ships in the background, representing maritime commerce and colonial prosperity. Ornate circular frames containing the numeral '5' flank both sides of the reverse, accompanied by decorative scrollwork, wreath designs, and symmetrical border patterns. The color palette comprises gray, black, purple/violet, and green-gray tones applied through multicolor printing techniques.

FRONT SIDE: 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' (National Overseas Bank) | 'Decreto Nº17454' (Decree No. 17454) | 'Cabo Verde' (Cape Verde) | 'Colonia Portuguesa' (Portuguese Colony) | 'Cinco Escudos' (Five Escudos) | 'Lisboa, 16 de Novembro de 1945' (Lisbon, 16th of November 1945) | 'Bartolomeu Dias' (name of depicted historical figure) | 'O Administrador' (The Administrator) | 'O Presidente do Conselho Administrativo' (The President of the Administrative Council) | Serial number: '648.523'. BACK SIDE: 'Pagavel na Colonia de Cabo Verde' (Payable in the Colony of Cape Verde) | 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' (National Overseas Bank) | 'Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd Gravadores' (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd Engravers) | 'New Malden, Surrey, Inglaterra' (New Malden, Surrey, England) | Denomination numeral '5'.

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing, the security printing standard for banknotes of this era. The fine line work evident in the portraits, ship medallion, allegorical figure, and intricate border patterns are characteristic of intaglio engraving. The multicolor printing effect visible in the purple/violet and green-gray overprint areas, combined with the underlying gray and black base printing, indicates a multi-pass printing process typical of 1940s currency production. Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd of New Malden, Surrey, England—one of the world's premier security printers—executed the engraving and printing.

The observed note corresponds to the base P-41 Pick catalog number. The PMG population report indicates three registered variants exist (P-41, P-41cts, and P-41s), suggesting potential differences in signature blocks, control marks, or other minor printing details. The specific serial number observed (648.523) and the absence of visible overprints or control marks on this specimen indicate it is a standard regular issue example. Without access to detailed variant documentation or the ability to examine signature blocks in the visual analysis, the precise sub-variety cannot be determined from the provided information, though this appears to be a standard regular-issue example from the primary 1945 printing.