5 colones 1947

Common. This note is part of the regular issue series (1943-1949) with documented circulation dates including August 13, 1947, indicating a substantial print run. eBay market data from the realbanknotes.com reference shows consistent availability with moderate price points: AUNC notes sold for approximately $290 in 2023, while VF examples traded for $113-$150. The 2016 catalogue values (UNC: $40) indicate this is not a scarce variety. The 'Serie G' designation and serial number 609721 suggest this was part of a large production batch. Although in AU condition it commands a reasonable price, the note's availability in the secondary market and documented price history confirm it as a common issue within its denomination and period.

This note was issued during a significant period in Costa Rican banking history, specifically dated August 13, 1947, when the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica was establishing its modern currency series. The portrait of Braulio Carrillo, a 19th-century Costa Rican leader and statesman, reflects the nation's pride in its political heritage during the post-World War II era. The reverse design featuring the Puente de la Garita—a notable architectural landmark—demonstrates the bank's commitment to depicting Costa Rican cultural and engineering achievements on its currency.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Braulio Carrillo, a prominent 19th-century Costa Rican politician and president, positioned in a three-quarter profile facing right within an oval frame on the right side of the note. The design is dominated by an ornate, floral-shaped numeral '5' in the center, with elaborate baroque-style scrollwork and decorative borders in brown and reddish-brown tones. Shield-like corner ornaments bearing the numeral '5' frame the design, and the overall aesthetic reflects the classical engraved banknote style typical of American Bank Note Company productions. The reverse presents a pastoral landscape vignette of the Puente de la Garita (Garita Bridge), depicting a bridge structure set within a valley landscape with trees, water features, and architectural elements in green and gray tones. The landscape is surrounded by similarly ornate scrollwork borders and corner decorations, maintaining visual consistency with the obverse design while showcasing Costa Rica's notable infrastructure.

FRONT SIDE: 'Banco Nacional de Costa Rica' (National Bank of Costa Rica) / 'Departamento Emisor' (Issuing Department) / 'Serie G' (Series G) / Serial number: 609721 / 'San José, Costa Rica' (location) / '13 de Agosto de 1947' (August 13, 1947 - issue date) / 'Cinco Colones' (Five Colones - denomination in words) / 'Acuerdo del Consejo Directivo Nº 9' (Agreement of the Board of Directors No. 9) / 'El Presidente de la Junta Directiva' (The President of the Board of Directors) / 'Sub-Gerente del Banco' (Sub-Manager of the Bank) / 'El Gerente General del Banco' (The General Manager of the Bank) / 'Emilio Carrillo Primo' (name of official) / 'American Bank Note Company' (printer). BACK SIDE: 'Banco Nacional de Costa Rica' (National Bank of Costa Rica) / 'Departamento Emisor' (Issuing Department) / 'Puente de la Garita' (Bridge of the Garita - landmark name) / 'Cinco Colones' (Five Colones) / 'American Bank Note Company' (printer).

Intaglio engraving (also called steel-plate engraving), executed by the American Bank Note Company of New York. This is evidenced by the exceptionally fine line work visible throughout the design, the intricate detail of the portrait and landscape vignette, the elaborate border patterns with fine-line geometric elements, and the precise color registration between multiple printing plates. The security features include sophisticated engraved detail work with fine-line patterns in the backgrounds and decorative elements that would be extremely difficult to counterfeit using contemporary printing technology.

This note is dated 13 de Agosto de 1947 (August 13, 1947) and bears 'Serie G' with serial number 609721. According to realbanknotes.com reference data, multiple date varieties exist within the P-209c designation: 1946, 13.8.1947, 31.8.1949, 30.11.1949, and 14.12.1949. The present example represents the 13.8.1947 variety. The note displays the 'SUB-GERENTE' (Sub-Manager) signature title overprint on the right side as documented for this issue. The brown on multicolor underprint with green reverse is consistent with the standard P-209c design. No exceptional varieties or overprints beyond the standard signature designation are noted on this specimen.