5 piastres 1875

Common. This is a regular-issue note from the Banque Nationale d'Haiti's established series. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows VF examples have sold in the $66–$112 range (2021), with 2016 catalogue values placing VF at approximately $70–$100 range. The multiple eBay sales records indicate adequate availability in the collector market. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived issuance. The denomination and time period are neither exceptionally scarce nor particularly sought after.

This note was issued during the presidency of Michel Domingue (1874-1876), a period of relative stability following Haiti's turbulent Reconstruction era. The imagery—cannons, palm trees, and sailing ships—reflects Haiti's military heritage and maritime identity during the mid-19th century, while the allegorical Liberty figure emphasizes the nation's revolutionary ideals. The note's French inscriptions and American Bank Note Company printing reflect Haiti's post-colonial position as a French-speaking nation engaging with American financial and printing expertise.

The obverse presents a carefully balanced composition typical of ABNC's high-security banknote design. The left vignette depicts Liberty as a partially draped allegorical female figure, symbolizing freedom and governance. At center, Haiti's national coat of arms is prominently displayed. The right side features a formal oval portrait of President Michel Domingue in dark formal attire with buttons, wearing the dress of 19th-century state leadership. The background vignette illustrates Haiti's naval and military strength through images of wheeled cannons, tropical palm trees, and multi-masted sailing ships in a coastal setting, emphasizing the nation's maritime commerce and defensive capabilities. The entire design is framed by ornate repeating 'CINCO' oval badges and elaborate rosettes and scrollwork. The reverse is a masterwork of ornamental security printing, featuring a large central numeral '5' within an intricate circular medallion, surrounded by symmetrical repeating geometric and floral patterns in peach and orange tones, with ornamental cartouches flanking the denomination.

FRONT: 'Banque Nationale d'Haiti' (National Bank of Haiti); 'Cinco Piastres' (Five Piastres); 'Septy. 1875' (September 1875); 'Payable en or à l'Agence à la Banque Principale à Port-au-Prince' (Payable in gold at the Agency at the Principal Bank at Port-au-Prince); 'le President' (the President); 'le Caissier Principal' (the Principal Cashier); 'l'Agent du Gouvernement' (the Government Agent); 'American Bank Note Co. New York'; Serial number '14650'. BACK: Central numeral '5' with ornamental cartouches containing text (not clearly legible in provided images).

Steel-plate intaglio engraving (line engraving), executed by the American Bank Note Company of New York. The visual evidence includes fine line work throughout, intricate cross-hatching patterns creating depth and shadow, complex decorative borders, and repeating micro-patterns in the background fill—all hallmarks of intaglio security printing. The multi-color printing (sepia/tan on front with green and pink underprint; peach/orange on reverse) was accomplished through multiple passes of the engraved steel plates.

This specific example is dated September 1875 (Septy. 1875) with serial number 14650. The note represents the standard obverse-reverse design for Pick 72. Potential varieties for this series may include different serial number ranges or signature combinations (represented by the three signature lines for 'le President,' 'le Caissier Principal,' and 'l'Agent du Gouvernement'), though without comparative examples these cannot be definitively identified from this single note.