5000 kip 1975

Common. The eBay auction history provided shows consistent sales activity with multiple UNC examples selling in the $1.57 to $53.03 range over a span of more than a decade, indicating steady availability in the secondary market. While PMG-graded specimens in MS67 and higher grades have commanded higher prices (ranging from $15.50 to $76 in historical sales), UNC ungraded examples are readily obtainable at modest prices (typically $2–$6), and the 2019 catalog value of $10 for UNC reflects common-grade assessment. The 1975 issue date and the active circulation period suggest a reasonable print run, typical of a regular issue during this period.

This note was issued by the Banque Nationale du Laos during a transitional period for the kingdom, bearing the portrait of King Savang Vatthana, who reigned until the Communist Pathet Lao takeover in 1975. The reverse's depiction of traditional maritime labor and boat-building reflects the nation's economic reliance on the Mekong River and artisanal crafts during this era. The use of French alongside Lao script underscores Laos's position as a former French Indochinese territory navigating its post-colonial identity.

The obverse features a formal left-facing profile portrait of King Savang Vatthana dressed in ornate military regalia with detailed collar embellishments, positioned on the left third of the note. The central design showcases a Buddhist temple or pagoda (likely representing an important religious site in Laos such as Pha That Luang) rendered in fine detail with surrounding palm trees and landscape elements, occupying the central composition. Ornamental scrollwork borders frame both left and right margins in black, with decorative pink and green floral motifs in the upper right. The reverse depicts approximately seven male figures in traditional dress engaged in traditional boat-building or fishing activities near water, with wooden vessels and baskets rendered in meticulous detail. The same decorative borders and floral designs frame this scene, maintaining visual cohesion across both sides.

FRONT: Thai script inscription 'ธนาบัญชีแห่งประเทศลาว' (National Bank of Laos), denomination '2000' in Arabic numerals, Thai text 'ธนาบัญชี' (Bank), and serial number '359636' with additional marking '21'. BACK: French inscription 'BANQUE NATIONALE DU LAOS' (National Bank of Laos), 'CINQ MILLE KIP' (Five Thousand Kip), denomination '5000' in Arabic numerals, and warning text 'LE CONTREFACTEUR SERA PUNI CONFORMÉMENT À LA LOI' (Counterfeiter will be punished according to law).

Intaglio line engraving, characterized by the fine, precise linework visible throughout both obverse and reverse designs, particularly evident in the portrait rendering, border scrollwork, and landscape details. The color separation demonstrates multi-plate printing with careful registration of the dominant colors (greens, pinks, yellows, blacks, and tans). The PMG population report indicates the printer for variant P-19s as TDLR (likely Thomas De La Rue, a premier security printer of the era), though confirmation of the printer for this specific P-19a variety would require additional documentation. The security features include fine line engraving throughout the design and watermark areas visible in the observed specimen.

This specimen is cataloged as P-19a (5000 Kip) under the Pick numbering system. The PMG population report indicates three variants exist for the base Pick number P-19: P-19Aa (1 Kip), P-19a (5000 Kip), and P-19s (5000 Kip with TDLR printer attribution). The observed serial number '359636' with prefix '21' may indicate a specific print batch, though no specific variety designation is apparent from the visible inscriptions. The note shows no overprints or signature variations that would suggest a distinct sub-variety, placing it within the standard P-19a classification.