5 rupees 1976

Common. This note has substantial market circulation data showing regular sales at modest prices ($1-5 for UNC examples on secondary markets as recently as 2013-2016, with even PMG-graded specimens in the $10-23 range). The 1976-1982 issue run was substantial, and P-28 remains readily available to collectors. Print run was not restricted, and no recall occurred. The note's accessibility is reflected in consistent low-to-moderate pricing across multiple sales venues.

Issued in 1976 during Pakistan's period of institutional nation-building, this note commemorates the State Bank of Pakistan's role in the country's economic governance. The reverse depicts the Khajak railroad tunnel, an important infrastructural landmark representing Pakistan's railway heritage and modernization efforts. Jinnah's portrait on the obverse honors Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, whose image became a symbol of national identity on the currency of the newly independent nation.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Mohammed Ali Jinnah wearing his characteristic formal suit jacket and traditional Islamic cap (Jinnah cap), positioned on the right side of the note. The background is predominantly pink and mauve with elaborate Islamic geometric patterns forming a decorative upper border and ornamental designs along the left margin. A heart-shaped emblem appears in the top right corner. The reverse depicts the Khajak railroad tunnel—a masonry gateway structure set dramatically between mountain slopes with railroad tracks in the foreground converging toward the tunnel entrance. Mountains with terraced vegetation frame the landscape. A circular ornate seal with Islamic geometric patterns is positioned in the upper left corner, with additional decorative embellishments in the corners. The color scheme of the reverse is monochromatic gray, black, and white engraving on a beige background.

FRONT: 'State Bank of Pakistan' (Urdu: بیگک دولت پاکستان), 'Pakistan Rupee' (Urdu: پاکستان روپیہ), legal tender declaration in Urdu, authority statement indicating issuance by the Government of Pakistan, Governor's title 'Governor State Bank of Pakistan' (Urdu: گورنر بیگک دولت پاکستان), and serial number PB148555. BACK: 'STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN' and 'FIVE RUPEES' in English, with denomination numeral '5' displayed on both left and right margins.

Intaglio (copperplate) engraving, characteristic of high-security currency production. The fine line work, guilloche patterns, intricate geometric designs, and detailed landscape rendering on the reverse are hallmarks of intaglio printing. The State Bank of Pakistan employed internationally recognized security printers for this series; production was likely executed by De La Rue or a similar specialist currency printer, based on the sophistication of the security features and design quality evident in the detailed engraved patterns.

This specimen appears to be the base P-28 variety (not P-28* or P-28s as catalogued by PMG). The note is identifiable as P-28 by the absence of the Urdu text line on the upper center of the back—a key distinguishing feature separating it from the later P-33 and P-38 variants. Signature varieties and serial number prefix variations are known to exist for this Pick number; this example bears serial number PB148555. Two signature varieties are documented for the 1976-1982 period; specific signature identification would require closer examination of the signature blocks.