5 colones 1957

Common. This note is from a regular issue with a substantial print run spanning 1952-1958 across the ABNC production series. eBay market data shows multiple sales with prices ranging from $34-$315 depending on condition grade, with VF specimens catalogued at $15 and UNC at $60 (2019 values). The circulation of multiple graded examples in the PMG population report and consistent availability in collector markets indicates widespread distribution and survival. No print run limitations, recall orders, or scarcity factors apply to this Pick number.

This note was issued during a significant period of Costa Rican monetary stability under the Banco Central de Costa Rica, established to manage the nation's currency after the 1950 constitution. The imagery prominently celebrates Costa Rica's primary economic driver—coffee production—with the reverse vignette depicting a laborer in a coffee field, while the obverse honors Braulio Carrillo, a 19th-century national leader who modernized the country. The October 1957 date places this issue well within the post-World War II period of relative prosperity and institutional development in Central America.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Braulio Carrillo positioned on the right side, depicted in 19th-century formal attire with white shirt and bow tie, a stylistic convention appropriate to his historical era. The center of the note displays a geographical representation of Costa Rica with place names marked, emphasizing national identity. Large ornamental numerals '5' and Roman numeral 'V' appear in decorative frames at the corners, with coat of arms emblems flanking the sides. The color scheme employs green as the dominant tint with red-brown and gray accents. The reverse showcases a detailed engraved vignette of a coffee worker wearing a wide-brimmed hat in an active working posture, set within a rural agricultural landscape with farm buildings visible in the background, reinforcing the national motto 'PAIS DE CAFE' (Land of Coffee). Both sides feature elaborate guilloche borders and geometric decorative patterns characteristic of American Bank Note Company security design.

FRONT: 'Banco Central de Costa Rica' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); '3885542' (serial number); 'SERIE A' (Series A); 'SAN JOSE COSTA RICA' (San Jose Costa Rica); '8 de octubre de 1957' (October 8, 1957); 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA No' (Board of Directors Agreement No); 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA' (The President of the Board of Directors); 'GERENTE DEL BANCO' (Bank Manager); 'EMILIO CARRILLO' (Emilio Carrillo); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company). BACK: 'Banco Central de Costa Rica' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'PAIS DE CAFE' (Land of Coffee); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), the standard security printing method employed by the American Bank Note Company for banknotes during this era. The fine line work, intricate geometric patterns, complex vignettes, and detailed security features visible throughout the design—including the elaborate guilloche patterns and background density variations—are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production. The sharpness and clarity of the portrait and landscape vignettes confirm precision steel plate engraving.

Pick catalog P-220b represents the ABNC-printed variant of this regular issue. The visual analysis confirms this as a Series A example with the signature of Emilio Carrillo as Bank Manager, matching the standard variety for this period. The October 8, 1957 date falls within the documented 1952-1958 issue window. The note displays the characteristic 'POR' marking mentioned in reference catalogs relating to signature title positioning. No overprints or exceptional markings are visible that would indicate a sub-variety or special issue.