5 colones 1954

Common. The 1951-1958 series of 5 colones notes had substantial print runs from the newly established Central Bank of Costa Rica. eBay market data shows regular sales of this denomination in various grades, with VF examples typically priced between $15-$25 USD (per both the 2019 catalogue values and current market listings). The Pick-220d variant with 'POR' overprint appears to have been a standard production issue with no documented scarcity. As a widely circulated denomination from a major issuer with no documented short print run or recall, this note should be classified as common.

Issued by decree on May 26, 1951, this note circulated during a period of economic modernization in Costa Rica under the leadership of the newly established Central Bank. The prominent imagery of Braulio Carrillo, a significant 19th-century Costa Rican statesman, and the agricultural worker symbolize the nation's historical governance and agricultural heritage—particularly the coffee industry that remained central to Costa Rica's economy in the 1950s. The formal 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA' (Board of Directors Agreement) inscription reflects the institutional authority of the newly independent monetary authority.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter portrait of Braulio Carrillo (1789-1845), Costa Rica's pre-eminent 19th-century leader, positioned at right in formal dress with bow tie. The denomination '5' is prominently displayed in an elaborate shield-like frame at center, surrounded by intricate floral and geometric ornamental borders in all four corners. The reverse presents a vignette of a coffee or agricultural worker in traditional dress and hat, actively engaged in field work with a farming tool, set within a cultivated landscape with mountains visible in the background—a deliberate reference to Costa Rica's agricultural foundation. Both sides employ repeating geometric patterns and decorative numerals within the borders. The color scheme combines green and red on the obverse with predominantly green on the reverse, printed on cream/tan-colored paper stock.

FRONT: 'Banco Central de Costa Rica' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'SERIE A' (Series A); Serial number: 1636093; 'SAN JOSE COSTARICA' (San José, Costa Rica); '26 de mayo de 1951' (May 26, 1951); 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA' (Agreement of the Board of Directors); 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA' (The President of the Board of Directors); 'EL GERENTE DEL BANCO' (The Bank Manager); 'BRAULIO CARRILLO' (Braulio Carrillo—portrait label); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company). BACK: 'Banco Central de Costa Rica' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company).

Intaglio engraving, produced by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) of New York. The fine line work, intricate border patterns, detailed landscape vignette, and precise portraiture are characteristic of high-quality steel plate engraving. The ornamental security features include complex repeating geometric patterns and multiple denomination numerals distributed throughout the design—standard anti-counterfeiting measures of the era.

This example is catalogued as Pick-220d, identified by the 'POR' (for) notation added to the left of the signature title line on the obverse. The visual analysis confirms this marking. The note displays 'SERIE A' and serial number 1636093, consistent with regular distribution from the 1951-1958 issuance period. The note date of '26 de mayo de 1951' on the obverse indicates the original authorization date, while the catalog date of 1954 reflects when this particular note entered circulation or was officially recorded in that production year. No signature variants are distinctly visible in the provided images that would indicate an alternate Pick number (such as P-220a, P-220b, or P-220c).