5 colones 1972 specimen

Common. Specimen notes from this series and period are regularly encountered in the numismatic market, as evidenced by consistent eBay sales ranging from $20 to $229 USD across multiple condition grades. The 2019 catalog value of $30 USD for UNC examples and the multiple listings at modest prices ($29.99-$54.99 range for UNC grades) indicate healthy market supply. Specimen notes, while non-circulating by definition, were produced in sufficient quantities for distribution to banks and collectors, making them far more available than scarce circulation issues.

This note commemorates a pivotal moment in El Salvadoran history through its central vignette of Juan Matías Delgado, the independence leader who championed the nation's separation from Spanish colonial rule. The inclusion of Christopher Columbus on the reverse reflects the broader Central American historical narrative connecting pre-Columbian exploration to colonial and post-colonial identity. Issued during the early 1970s under the Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador, this denomination and design series represented the bank's mid-twentieth-century modernization efforts.

The obverse features a meticulously engraved historical vignette depicting Juan Matías Delgado, the Salvadoran independence hero, mounted on horseback and addressing a crowd of people gathered before an impressive cathedral or governmental building with a distinctive bell tower and classical colonial architecture. The composition is rendered in fine line engraving with a light blue-green background and ornate corner decorations. Large numerals 5 appear within decorative circular frames in all four corners. The reverse employs a symmetrical design in green and white tones, with Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) presented as a profile portrait within a prominent circular frame at the center, flanked by intricate geometric fan-like decorative patterns and corner numerals. Both sides incorporate fine line engraving throughout, with elaborate border treatments characteristic of Thomas De La Rue's security printing standards.

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 bearer); 'SAN SALVADOR, 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 1972' (San Salvador, October 24, 1972); 'SERIE VB' (Series VB); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'DELGADO, ACOMPAÑADO DE OTROS PRÓCERES, ARENGANDO AL PUEBLO' (Delgado, accompanied by other prominent figures, addressing the people); 'DIRECTOR', 'PRESIDENTE' (President), 'GERENTE' (Manager); 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' (Specimen without value); Serial: 000000. BACK: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR' (Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador); 'CRISTÓBAL COLÓN' (Christopher Columbus); 'CINCO COLONES' (Five Colones); 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR' (Specimen without value); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer attribution); Reference number: 40 72 041.

This specimen was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing methods by Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited of London, the world-renowned security printer. The visual evidence supports this through the fine line engraving visible throughout both sides, the detailed portrait work, intricate geometric patterns, and the precision of decorative borders. The intaglio process allows for the microprint details and three-dimensional relief characteristics typical of high-security banknotes of this era.

This note is identified as Pick P-117s, the specimen variant of the 5 colones series. The specific variety characteristics observed include: Series designation 'VB', Issue date of 24 October 1972, printer credit 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED', specimen overprint 'MUESTRA SIN VALOR', and serial number 000000 (characteristic of specimen prints). The PMG population report indicates P-117a as a cataloged variant, though this specimen example appears to be from the same base Pick number with standard specimen markings. No signature variations are distinctly visible in the image quality provided, but the presence of multiple signature lines ('DIRECTOR', 'PRESIDENTE', 'GERENTE') is consistent with Central American banking documentation practices of the period.