5 rupees 1967

Common. The 1967 5 Rupees Bank of Mauritius note (P-30c) is a standard circulation issue with no known print run restrictions or scarcity indicators. The robust eBay market history provided shows consistent sales activity across all condition grades from lower circulated grades ($3-12) to high grades (PMG 65-67 ranging $40-121), with multiple examples trading regularly across multiple years. The consistent availability and trading volume indicate healthy supply. While the PMG 67 EPQ grade is desirable and commands premiums (recent comparable sales at $121.50 in 2020 and $72 in 2018), the underlying note type is common, with value driven primarily by condition rather than scarcity of the issue itself.

The 1967 series marks Bank of Mauritius's early post-independence currency, issued just one year after the nation achieved sovereignty in 1966. The continued portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II reflects Mauritius's status as a Commonwealth realm during this transitional period, while the reverse's imagery of Montagne de Lion (the iconic mountain landmark) and the sailing vessel commemorate the nation's maritime heritage and the Dutch first landing in 1598. The multilingual inscriptions in English, Tamil, and Hindi represent the island's ethnic and cultural diversity during the formative years of the independent nation.

The obverse prominently features a right-facing profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II rendered in fine engraving, positioned on the right side of the note. The portrait is surrounded by ornate decorative corner elements in quatrefoil (four-lobed clover) shapes bearing the denomination 'Rs5' and series marker 'G4'. The Bank of Mauritius official seal appears at top center. The reverse showcases a detailed landscape engraving dominated by Montagne de Lion (Lion Mountain), Mauritius's most recognizable geographical feature, depicted as a prominent peak in the background. A traditional sailing vessel with full rigging appears on the water in the foreground, and a lighthouse or tower structure marks the coastline. This reverse imagery directly references the 1598 Dutch first landing in Mauritius and the nation's maritime significance. All elements are executed in blue and purple inks with fine geometric security patterns in the background.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANK OF MAURITIUS' (Bank issuing authority); 'FIVE RUPEES' (denomination in English); 'உதிரபுப்பு' (Tamil script, meaning 'Five Rupees'); 'पाँच रुपये' (Hindi script, meaning 'Five Rupees'); 'THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT STATED THEREON' (legal tender declaration); 'RS 5' (denomination abbreviation); 'GOVERNOR OF THE BANK' and 'MANAGING DIRECTOR' (signature line designations); Serial number 'A/49 421787'. BACK SIDE: 'BANK OF MAURITIUS' (repeated); 'Rs 5' and 'G4' (denomination markers in decorative quatrefoil corners).

The note was produced by Thomas de la Rue (TDLR), London, the world's premier security printer of the era. The printing technique employed is intaglio engraving, evidenced by the fine line work visible throughout the design, particularly in the portrait, landscape details, and decorative guilloche patterns. The multicolor printing (blue and purple on cream underprint) was achieved through multiple passes of the intaglio press, a hallmark of de la Rue's security printing standards. The watermark featuring the dodo bird (Mauritius's national symbol) was incorporated during the papermaking process.

This specimen is cataloged as Pick P-30c, representing one of nine known variants for the base 1967 5 Rupees issue. The catalog data confirms TDLR (Thomas de la Rue) printing. Variants within this series include P-30a, P-30b, P-30b*, P-30c, P-30c*, P-30cCS1, P-30cs, and P-30s, indicating variations in signature combinations, printer marks, or control numbers. The serial number A/49 421787 visible in the image should be recorded for variety differentiation purposes, as prefix variations (A/49, etc.) may distinguish between catalog varieties. The 'G4' denomination marker and specific signature combinations on this example should be verified against the Pick catalog to confirm precise variety assignment within the P-30c designation.