5 cedis 1965
Market Prices
4 salesAbout This Note
A crisp, uncirculated example of Ghana's 5 cedis note from 1965, featuring President Kwame Nkrumah's profile and the Bank of Ghana coat of arms on the obverse, with an architectural rendering of a colonial-style administrative building on the reverse. This early post-independence Ghanaian issue displays excellent preservation with vibrant green and mauve coloring, intricate decorative borders, and fine engraved detailing throughout. The note represents an important piece of early Ghanaian monetary history during Nkrumah's presidency.
Common. While early post-independence Ghanaian currency has collector appeal, this note trades regularly on the secondary market. eBay pricing data shows UNC examples consistently selling in the $27-35 range as of 2017-2019, with catalog values around $27.50 for UNC condition. The relatively modest prices and regular market availability indicate this is a common issue despite its historical significance. Print runs for this 1965 issue were sufficient to ensure adequate circulation.
Issued in 1965 during Kwame Nkrumah's presidency, this banknote commemorates Ghana's early independence period and nation-building efforts. The reverse depicts what is identified as a government administrative building, reflecting the institutional development and architectural modernization of the newly independent nation. The prominence of Nkrumah's portrait as watermark and central imagery underscores his iconic status in Ghanaian independence and the political identity of the era.
The obverse features a formal composition with the Bank of Ghana coat of arms as the dominant central element, displaying a red cross flanked by white wings, a red star above, and a shield bearing 'FREEDOM' and 'JUSTICE' banners—symbolizing the nation's founding principles. President Kwame Nkrumah's portrait appears in an oval frame to the right of the coat of arms, shown in left-facing profile. The note employs a light green and mauve color scheme with ornate geometric border patterns at top and bottom. The reverse presents a detailed black and gray engraved illustration of a colonial-style administrative building with a prominent central tower, representing institutional authority and government infrastructure. Denomination numerals appear in corners.
Front side: 'BANK OF GHANA' — Bank of Ghana; 'Five Cedis' — Denomination in English; 'THIS NOTE IS ISSUED ON STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND IS LEGAL TENDER IN GHANA FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' — Legal tender declaration; 'GOVERNOR' — Signature line designation; Serial number 'F 595389' appears twice. Back side: '¢5' — Currency denomination symbol (5 cedis).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving and fine line work), characteristic of high-security banknote production. The intricate geometric border patterns, detailed architectural rendering with fine shading, and crisp line work throughout indicate professional security printing by a specialist banknote printer. The quality of execution suggests production by an international banknote security printer contracted by the Bank of Ghana, typical for Commonwealth nations of this era.
This appears to be the standard P-6 variety (regular issue 5 cedis). PMG population data indicates 2 cataloged variants exist for this Pick number (P-6cts and P-6s), though the visual analysis does not reveal distinguishing features that would definitively classify this specific note into one variant category. Serial number prefix 'F' and signature designations should be cross-referenced with known variety documentation if precise classification is required.
