5 pesos 1915

Common. The eBay market data showing a recent VF sale at $78 (with 18 bids) indicates healthy collector demand but regular availability at modest prices. While this is a desirable early Guatemalan note, it was produced by a major security printer (IBNC) with sufficient quantities to reach circulation, and contemporary sales data does not suggest scarcity. The note is not rare, though VF examples represent better-preserved specimens of an otherwise common issue.

This 1915 note was issued during Guatemala's early republican period, reflecting the nation's modernization through the prominent depiction of steam locomotives—symbols of industrial progress and economic development. The inclusion of the quetzal bird, Guatemala's national symbol, positioned centrally on the obverse emphasizes national identity and sovereignty during a period of significant political and economic transition in Central America. The use of the International Company of Bank Notes (IBNC) from New York as the printer demonstrates Guatemala's reliance on foreign security printing expertise, a common practice among smaller nations establishing modern currency systems.

The obverse presents a dual-locomotive composition emphasizing Guatemala's industrial aspirations, with identical female profile portraits positioned at the lower left and right corners, likely representing allegorical figures of commerce or prosperity rather than historical personages. The central focal point is an ornate oval medallion containing the quetzal bird (Pharomachrus mocinno), Guatemala's national emblem and sacred symbol, set against elaborate scrollwork and geometric borders characteristic of Edwardian-era banknote aesthetics. The reverse shifts to a predominantly red-orange palette, featuring ornamental corner cartouches with dragon or mythical beast motifs, radiating geometric patterns at center, and elaborate floral scrollwork throughout. The fine-line engraving throughout both sides demonstrates the technical sophistication of International Company of Bank Notes' production standards, with careful attention to anti-counterfeiting details through complex overlapping lines and intricate border designs.

OBVERSE: 'El Banco de Guatemala' (The Bank of Guatemala) | 'CINCO 5 PESOS' (Five 5 Pesos) | 'PAGARA AL PORTADOR EN MONEDA EFECTIVA' (Will pay to bearer in current money) | 'Guatemala' | 'Febrero 4° de 1915' (February 4th, 1915) | 'DIRECTORES' (Directors) | 'GERENTE' (Manager) | 'COMPANIA INTERNACIONAL DE BILLETES DE BANCO, NUEVA YORK' (International Company of Bank Notes, New York) | Serial number: 'B8860302'. REVERSE: 'EL BANCO DE' (The Bank of) | 'CINCO' (Five) | 'PESOS' (Pesos) | 'GUATEMALA' | 'COMPANIA INTERNACIONAL DE BILLETES DE BANCO, NUEVA YORK' (International Company of Bank Notes, New York).

Steel engraving (intaglio), a security printing technique standard for the period, executed by the International Company of Bank Notes (IBNC), New York. The fine-line work visible throughout, particularly in the ornamental borders, scrollwork, and facial details, is characteristic of hand-engraved steel plates. Color separation printing was employed for the red serial numbers on the obverse and the red-orange reverse design. The precision of the engraving and the quality of impression visible even in this aged example reflects IBNC's reputation as a leading security printer of the era.

This note is identified as Pick P-S143c, one of two catalogued variants for the 5 Pesos 1915 denomination (PMG also lists P-S143b). The distinction between variants is documented by the PMG Population Report as relating to the same printer (IBNC) but different printing characteristics or signature combinations. The observed serial number B8860302 with red printing is consistent with catalog references noting 'large red serial number' as a distinguishing feature. The date variant shown here is specifically the February 4th, 1915 issue (Febrero 4° de 1915), as referenced in catalog sources listing '4.2.1915' among recorded date variants. Without direct comparison to P-S143b, the specific differentiating characteristic of P-S143c cannot be definitively determined from this single note, though signature positions and serial numbering conventions are typical distinguishing factors between contemporaneous variants.