5 pesos 1915

Common. While this is a genuine early Colombian note over a century old with historical significance, the Pick 323 5 Pesos 1915 is widely available in the collector market. eBay pricing data shows significant price variance ($2.39 to $490), with many uncirculated examples trading below $20, and the VF-grade example documented at $295 representing a mid-range transaction rather than an exceptional rarity. Standard print runs for this regular issue during the Conversion Board period were substantial, and many examples have survived, making this denomination and date readily obtainable for most collectors.

Colombia issued this note during a critical period of monetary reform under the Conversion Board (Junta de Conversión), transitioning the nation's currency system. The prominent depiction of José María Córdoba, a revered military and political figure from Colombia's independence era, reflects the young republic's veneration of its founding generation. The condor, a symbol of Andean power and sovereignty, reinforces Colombian national pride during this period of institutional consolidation and modernization of the banking system.

The obverse features a formal portrait of José María Córdoba, the Colombian military hero and statesman, rendered in fine detail wearing a 19th-century military dress uniform with medals and decorative braiding, positioned at left-center within an ornate oval frame with intricate geometric and floral ornamentation. To the right is a heraldic condor with spread wings, symbolizing Colombian national sovereignty. The design employs a pink/salmon background with black and green ornamental borders featuring complex decorative cartouches displaying the numeral '5'. The reverse presents Colombia's coat of arms or state shield within a matching ornate oval frame, surrounded by symmetrical geometric and floral patterns in red/coral tones on a cream background, with large decorative denomination cartouches flanking the central emblem. Both sides demonstrate the hallmark precision engraving associated with ABNC's premium security work.

Front: 'LA REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA' (The Republic of Colombia) / 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR LA SUMA DE' (Will pay the bearer the sum of) / 'CINCO PESOS ORO' (Five pesos gold) / 'DE ACUERDO CON LAS LEYES' (In accordance with the laws) / 'CÓRDOBA' (Cordoba - identifying the portrait subject) / 'Bogotá 20 DE JULIO DE 1915' (Bogota July 20, 1915 - issue date) / 'SERIE F' (Series F) / Serial number: 1403538 / 'American Bank Note Company' (printer credit) / 'LOS MIEMBROS DE LA JUNTA DE CONVERSIÓN' (Members of the Conversion Board). Back: 'REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA' (Republic of Colombia) / Multiple denomination markers '5' / 'American Bank Note Company' (printer credit).

Steel engraving with multi-color letterpress printing. The American Bank Note Company (ABNC), based in New York, employed their signature fine line engraving technique to create the intricate border designs, portrait detail, and security patterns visible throughout. The note demonstrates the characteristic layered color application of period-appropriate intaglio printing, with separate passes for the pink/salmon and green on the obverse and red/coral and cream tones on the reverse, creating the complex multi-color effect observed in the visual analysis.

Series F as observed on this note (Serial 1403538) is specifically documented as having been issued by the Banco de la Republica rather than the earlier issuing authority for Series A-E, representing a known variety and transition point in Colombian monetary administration. The specific serial number 1403538 with Series F designation places this note within the later batch of this issue. No evidence of signature varieties, overprints, or other distinguishing characteristics that would constitute recognized catalog varieties for this Pick number is apparent from the visual analysis, though the series designation itself represents an important cataloging distinction.