5 colones 1980

Common. This note is part of the widely-circulated 1977-1989 series of Costa Rican 5 Colones notes. The eBay market data shows consistent, modest pricing ($0.75–$5.50 for most UNC notes, with occasional outliers) over a 14-year period, indicating healthy supply and stable demand at low price levels. Professional grading by PMG shows regular population distributions without extreme scarcity markers. The Pick catalog recognizes three variants (P-236b, P-236d, P-236e) for this base denomination, suggesting sustained production across multiple printing runs. The current catalogue value of $5 USD reflects typical market conditions for common circulating-period banknotes in UNC condition.

This note was issued during the 1977-1989 series under the Banco Central de Costa Rica and reflects the nation's cultural pride through its choice of imagery—both the historical political figure of Rafael Yglesias Castro and the iconic National Theatre painting. The back design's allegorical harbor scene with sailing ships and colonial figures connects to Costa Rica's mercantile history and the important role of ports in the nation's development. The March 18, 1980 date places this note in a period of relative monetary stability for Costa Rica, between earlier devaluations and the economic challenges that would follow in the 1980s.

The obverse features Rafael Yglesias Castro, the 19th-century Costa Rican political figure, rendered in fine engraved portrait style with formal attire including suit jacket and tie, positioned on the left side of the note. To the right is an elegant botanical study of orchids in pink and purple, demonstrating the nation's natural heritage. The note is framed by ornamental corner designs featuring scrollwork and decorative emblems containing the numerical denomination. The reverse presents 'Allegory of the National Theatre,' a painting composition by J. Villa from 1897, depicting a harbor scene with multiple colonial-era figures engaged in various activities, sailing ships with masts in the background, palm trees, and tropical coastline. Circular emblems in the corners contain denomination numerals, and decorative vine and leaf border patterns frame the left and right margins. The dominant color palette includes deep green, pink, purple, brown, beige, red, blue, yellow, and gray tones applied through sophisticated multicolor engraving.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); 'SAN JOSÉ COSTA RICA' (San José Costa Rica); '18 de marzo de 1980' (March 18, 1980); 'ACUERDO DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA No' (Board of Directors Agreement No); 'SERIE D' (Series D); 'D3412098Z' (serial number); 'RAFAEL YGLESIAS CASTRO' (name of portrayed figure); 'PRESIDENTE EJECUTIVO' (Executive President); 'GERENTE' (Manager); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones). BACK SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA' (Central Bank of Costa Rica); '5' (denomination numeral); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'ALEGORIA TEATRO NACIONAL U.VILLA 1897' (Allegory National Theatre U. Villa 1897); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED' (printer attribution).

This note was produced by Thomas de la Rue & Company Limited, London (TDLR), using intaglio engraving combined with multicolor letterpress printing. The fine-line background patterns, detailed portrait work, and intricate ornamental corner designs visible in the images are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The precision of color registration across the multiple printing passes—evident in the sharp definition between green, pink, purple, and brown inks—demonstrates the technical excellence of De la Rue's security printing methods. No watermark or security thread is present on this variant, consistent with the community catalog notation for this series.

This is identified as Pick P-236d, a variant within the broader 5 Colones 1977-1989 series. The visual analysis confirms Series D designation (visible as 'SERIE D' on the obverse) and serial number D3412098Z, with the prefix 'D' indicating this variant. The date of March 18, 1980 falls within the 1977-1989 issuance window. The printer mark 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED' and the absence of watermark and security thread are consistent with known characteristics of P-236d. PMG records show three variants (P-236b, P-236d, P-236e) exist within this series; the specific variant designation likely relates to printing run, signature combinations, or serial number series, though the visual evidence confirms this is the P-236d variant based on series designation and other technical parameters.