5 colones 1903 specimen
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a stunning uncirculated example of a 5 Colones banknote from Costa Rica's Banco Anglo-Costarricense, issued in 1903 (Pick P-S122s). The note displays exceptional preservation with sharp, clear printing throughout and no visible wear, creases, or damage. The obverse features an elegant portrait of J.M. Fernandez in formal 19th-century attire within an ornate oval frame, surrounded by intricate decorative scrollwork and heraldic shields, while the reverse showcases a brown-toned design with a central republican emblem and elaborate corner cartouches.
Common. The eBay market data shows a wide range of listings for uncirculated examples ($8.95 to $119.95 USD) with a median price around $40-65, indicating consistent but not particularly strong collector demand. The note was issued by a major banking institution (Banco Anglo-Costarricense) and was produced by a large-scale security printer (BWC), suggesting a substantial original print run. The wide availability at modest price points and the absence of any mention of this being a scarce or recalled issue in the reference material indicate this is a standard issue for collectors rather than a rare find.
This note was issued by the Banco Anglo-Costarricense during Costa Rica's early republican period, when the country was transitioning to a modern banking system with foreign investment and expertise. The inscription 'EN MONEDA NACIONAL DE ORO' (In National Gold Currency) reflects Costa Rica's adherence to the gold standard in the early 20th century, while the 'REPUBLICA LIBRE' (Free Republic) designation on the reverse emphasizes the nation's independence and democratic aspirations. The San José dating and presidential/administrator signature lines indicate this was part of the formal currency infrastructure of Costa Rica's central government.
The obverse features a formal portrait of J.M. Fernandez, a notable Costa Rican political figure, rendered in three-quarter profile within an ornate oval cartouche that dominates the center of the composition. The portrait is flanked by heraldic shields containing Costa Rican national emblems, and the entire design is surrounded by elaborate scrollwork, geometric borders in orange/rust and green tones, and intricate floral patterns typical of late 19th-century bank note design. The reverse presents a more classical republican design with a central circular medallion containing an allegorical profile portrait labeled 'REPUBLICA LIBRE,' topped by a triangular emblem with radiating lines symbolizing national sovereignty. Large denomination numerals '5' appear in ornate shield-shaped cartouches in all four corners, with the remaining field filled with symmetrical decorative wreaths and geometric patterns rendered in brown tones.
OBVERSE: 'EL BANCO ANGLO COSTARRICENSE' (The Anglo Costa Rican Bank) | 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones) | 'EN MONEDA NACIONAL DE ORO' (In National Gold Currency) | 'PAGARA AL PORTADOR' (Pay to Bearer) | 'AGUSTA LA CANTIDAD' (According to the Amount) | 'SAN JOSE. P.ª ENERO DE 19' (San José. January of 19[03]) | 'EL PRESIDENTE' (The President) | 'EL ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator) | 'Bradbury Wilkinson y Cª Grabadores Londres' (Bradbury Wilkinson and Company Engravers London) | Serial No. 107691 | 'SERIE' (Series). REVERSE: 'EL BANCO ANGLO COSTARRICENSE' (The Anglo Costa Rican Bank) | 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones) | 'REPUBLICA LIBRE' (Free Republic).
This note was produced using fine line steel engraving, the premium security printing method of the era, as evidenced by the exceptional clarity and precision of the intricate scrollwork, geometric patterns, and portrait details visible throughout. The printing was executed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, one of the world's foremost banknote engravers based in London, as acknowledged in the printer's imprint on the obverse. The multicolored underprint on the obverse and brown monotone on the reverse demonstrate sophisticated chromatic separation typical of BWC's high-security currency production standards of the period.
This is catalogued as Pick P-S122s, with PMG records indicating at least three specimen variants for this base Pick number (P-S122r, P-S122s2, P-S122s3). The 's' designation indicates this is a specimen note (possibly with specimen overprint or marking). The visual analysis identifies Series A, and the serial number 107691 visible on the obverse provides individual note identification. The January 1903 (or early 1904 as alternate date per catalog) issue dating from San José and the BWC printer identification are consistent with the catalogued standard for this Pick number.
