5 cordobas 1959
Market Prices
1 saleAbout This Note
This Nicaragua 5 Córdobas from 1959 (Pick P-100c) is an attractive mid-grade example featuring the iconic classical female allegorical figure on the obverse and a pre-Columbian carved stone monument on the reverse. The note displays the characteristic green and orange color scheme with fine engraving work by Thomas de la Rue, though it shows moderate handling wear consistent with AU (About Uncirculated) grade, including visible creases and minor foxing. The serial number 0379652 with Series 699 designation and clear strike make this a straightforward issue example from the final year of this design series.
Common. The eBay price tracking data from realbanknotes.com shows catalog values of $5 (VG), $50 (VF), and $150 (UNC) as of 2016, with historical sales in the $7.50 range, all indicating this is a widely available note in the collector market. The 1953-1960 issue range represents a substantial production run by a major security printer, and P-100c variants appear in PMG population reports without any scarcity indicators. Notes from this series are readily obtainable in most grades.
Issued during the final years of President Luis A. Somoza Debayle's administration, this 1959 note represents Nicaragua's mid-20th century monetary identity, celebrating the country's pre-Columbian heritage through the classical female allegory and the carved stone monument depicted on the reverse. The prominent reference to the 1940-1941 legislative framework on the obverse reflects the legal foundation of the National Bank's emission authority during this period, while the gold-payment clause references the monetary standards of the era.
The obverse presents a classical allegorical female figure in draped Greco-Roman style, seated above rocky mountainous terrain while holding a torch or staff—a common Liberty-inspired motif used across Latin American currencies of this era. The figure is contained within an ornate circular medallion and serves as the note's primary focal point. The denomination '5' appears in all four corners within decorative rosette designs. The reverse displays a three-medallion design: the left contains an ornamental '5' rosette, the center features a detailed pre-Columbian carved stone monument or anthropomorphic totem pole reflecting Nicaragua's indigenous heritage, and the right medallion contains the national coat of arms—a triangle with three volcanic peaks (representing the three major volcanic chains) encircled by 'REPÚBLICA DE NICARAGUA CENTROAMERICANA'. The entire note employs fine guilloche patterns and decorative scrollwork typical of high-security currency engraving.
FRONT: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua); 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN, MANAGUA' (Emission Department, Managua); 'SERIE DE 1959' (Series of 1959); 'SERIE 699' (Series 699); 'CINCO CORDOBAS' (Five Cordobas); 'ESTE BILLETE HA SIDO EMITIDO DE CONFORMIDAD CON EL DECRETO-LEY DEL 26 DE OCTUBRE DE 1940 Y LA LEY DE 4 DE AGOSTO DE 1941; DEBERÁ SER RECIBIDO EN PAGO DE LOS DERECHOS ADUANEROS Y TRIBUTARIOS Y SERÁ OBLIGATORIO PARA EL PAGO DE DEUDAS DENTRO DE LA REPÚBLICA.' (This banknote has been issued in accordance with the Decree-Law of October 26, 1940 and the Law of August 4, 1941; it must be accepted in payment of customs duties and taxes and is obligatory for payment of debts within the Republic); 'DE CONFORMIDAD CON EL DECRETO-LEY DEL 26 DE OCTUBRE DE 1940 Y LA LEY DE 4 DE AGOSTO DE 1941 Y BAJO LAS CONDICIONES PRESCRITAS EN LOS MISMOS, EL BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA, DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN, PAGARÁ POR ESTE BILLETE SU VALOR EN ORO AL PORTADOR' (In accordance with the Decree-Law of October 26, 1940 and the Law of August 4, 1941 and under the conditions prescribed therein, the National Bank of Nicaragua, Emission Department, will pay for this banknote its value in gold to the bearer on sight); signature lines for 'EL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPÚBLICA' (The President of the Republic), 'EL PRESIDENTE DEL CONSEJO' (The President of the Council), and 'EL GERENTE GENERAL DEL BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (The General Manager of the National Bank of Nicaragua); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTD.' (printer). BACK: 'BANCO NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA' (National Bank of Nicaragua); 'DEPARTAMENTO DE EMISIÓN' (Emission Department); 'CINCO CORDOBAS' (Five Cordobas); 'REPÚBLICA DE NICARAGUA CENTROAMERICANA' (Republic of Nicaragua Central America); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO. LTD.' (printer).
Engraved and typographed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd., London. The note exhibits characteristics of fine line engraving for the portrait and coat of arms, combined with typographical elements for text and numerals. The guilloche security patterns visible throughout, ornate rosette designs, and intricate border work are hallmarks of Thomas de la Rue's security printing methods, which employed steel plate engraving. The color scheme (green with orange/rust accents) was achieved through multi-stage printing typical of mid-20th century currency production.
Pick catalog identifies three variants for the base 5 Córdobas 1959-1960 series: P-100b, P-100c, and P-100s. This example is cataloged as P-100c. The presence of 'SERIE 699' and serial number 0379652 are consistent with standard series designations for this variant. The typographed date designation noted in the visual analysis is characteristic of the P-100c variety. No overprints or unusual signature combinations are evident in this specimen.
