5 colones 1974

Common. This is a regular issue banknote from a stable, long-lived central bank (Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador) with a substantial print run spanning 1971-1976. eBay market data consistently shows UNC examples selling in the $13-$36 range, with 2019 catalog values at $25 UNC, indicating healthy supply. The note is neither scarce nor recall-limited, representing standard circulation currency from the period.

This note commemorates Juan Matías Delgado, a pivotal figure in El Salvador's independence movement, depicted addressing the people with other leaders—a scene central to the nation's historical identity. The reverse honors Christopher Columbus, reflecting the broader Spanish American colonial heritage. Issued during the 1970s under the regime of Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador, this denomination and design served as a regular circulating currency during a period of relative stability in the country's monetary system.

The obverse features a central historical vignette depicting Juan Matías Delgado, the Salvadoran independence leader and religious reformer, standing prominently in the center of a crowd scene with his arm raised in an oratory gesture. He is surrounded by other period figures and set against a neoclassical or colonial-style building with a distinctive bell tower or cupola, emphasizing the architectural heritage of San Salvador. The composition uses fine engraving with ornamental borders featuring decorative corner numerals '5' and a circular emblem at the top center. The reverse showcases a formal portrait of Christopher Columbus in an oval frame, executed in fine detail with classical styling, positioned on a geometric mesh-pattern background. Both sides employ the bank's institutional seals and signatures lines, with the Superintendence of Banks circular seal visible on the reverse.

FRONT: 'EL BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador); 'PAGARÁ EN EFECTIVO AL PORTADOR' (Will pay in cash to the bearer); 'SAN SALVADOR, 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 1972' (San Salvador, October 24, 1972); 'SERIE VD' (Series VD); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'DELGADO, ACOMPAÑADO DE OTROS PROCERES, ARENGANDO AL PUEBLO' (Delgado, accompanied by other leaders, addressing the people); Signature lines for 'DIRECTOR' (Director), 'PRESIDENTE' (President), and 'GERENTE' (Manager); Serial number 2932564. BACK: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador); 'CRISTÓBAL COLÓN' (Christopher Columbus); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'San Salvador, 29 de Octubre de 1974' (San Salvador, October 29, 1974); 'SUPERINTENDENCIA DE BANCOS Y OTRAS INSTITUCIONES FINANCIERAS' (Superintendence of Banks and Other Financial Institutions); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED' (printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving (copperplate/steel plate printing), characteristic of Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited, London, the world-renowned security printer. The visual analysis confirms the fine line work, intricate geometric patterns, ornamental borders, and detailed portraiture typical of high-security banknote production. The multicolored underprinting visible on the obverse and the single-color printing on the reverse are consistent with professional security printing standards of the early 1970s.

Identified as Pick-117a variant (P-117a) with printer attribution to TDLR (Thomas De La Rue). The specific example observed is from Series VD with serial number 2932564. The note carries two dates: the formal issue date of October 24, 1972 printed on the obverse, and the collector annotation date of October 29, 1974 noted on the reverse, indicating this particular specimen was collected or documented in 1974, though printed in the 1972 timeframe within the authorized 1971-1976 circulation period. PMG population records indicate one cataloged variant for this Pick number base.