5 cedis 1977

Common. This is a regular issue from Ghana's 1977-1978 currency series with no indication of limited print run or special circumstances. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows consistent eBay trading history with UNC examples selling in the $2-8 range across multiple years (2009-2026), with the PMG 67 example in this lot commanding a premium ($22.22 in 2016) reflective of exceptional grading rather than inherent rarity. The note's availability in the secondary market, combined with its modest denomination and straightforward issue history, confirms common status.

Issued in 1977 during Ghana's post-independence period, this note reflects the country's celebration of traditional culture through numismatic design. The obverse features a dignified portrait of a Ghanaian woman in traditional attire, while the reverse depicts what appears to be traditional West African mud brick architecture with distinctive conical roof structures—likely representing Larabanga Mosque or similar cultural landmarks significant to Ghana's heritage during this era of national identity consolidation.

The obverse features a portrait of a Ghanaian woman positioned at right, wearing a large traditional woven straw hat and patterned traditional clothing, rendered with careful attention to cultural detail. Her expression is warm and dignified. The background is composed of decorative geometric patterns and ornamental designs in warm tones (beige, tan, pink, cream, and brown), with the Bank of Ghana star logo—a circled star containing text—positioned on the left side. Fine guilloche and line work provide security detailing throughout. The reverse depicts traditional West African mud brick architecture with characteristic pyramid-shaped conical roofs, rendered in detailed black and gray engraving that showcases the textural qualities of the structures. Ornamental geometric borders and decorative medallions in pink and yellow-green tones frame both sides. The overall design palette emphasizes earth tones appropriate to the architectural subject matter.

Front side: 'BANK OF GHANA' (issuing authority); 'THIS NOTE IS ISSUED ON STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND IS LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' (legal tender declaration); '5' and 'Five Cedis' (denomination); 'GOVERNOR' (official signature authority); '4TH JUL 1977' (issue date); 'T/1 0666606' (serial number). Back side: 'BANK OF GHANA' (issuing authority); '5' and 'Five Cedis' (denomination). All inscriptions are in English.

Intaglio (engraved) printing on multicolored underprint, a standard security printing method for the period. The fine line guilloche patterns, detailed architectural engraving, and ornamental borders visible in the images are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The PMG population report indicates variant P-15CS1 was printed by TDLR (Thomas De La Rue), a leading security printer of the era, though the specific printer for this P-15b variant is not specified in available records.

This specimen is cataloged as Pick P-15b, with visual inspection confirming the 1977 issue date (specifically dated '4TH JUL 1977' on the obverse). The serial number T/1 0666606 indicates printer batch designation. PMG records note two variants for this base Pick number: P-15CS1 (TDLR printer) and P-15b (this variant). The note matches the described characteristics for P-15b: brown on multicolored underprint, woman with large hat on obverse, traditional architecture on reverse, with eagle's head above star watermark.