5 guarinies 1952
Market Prices
11 salesAbout This Note
An exceptional uncirculated 1952 example of Paraguay's 5 Guaraníes note issued by Banco Central del Paraguay, printed by the renowned security printer Thomas De La Rue. The front features an impressive portrait of General José E. Díaz in military uniform rendered in deep blue tones with ornate corner medallions, while the reverse displays the classical architecture of the Banco Central building in red/pink. Despite being over 70 years old, this note exhibits remarkable preservation with minimal wear, making it a fine specimen for serious collectors of early Paraguayan currency.
Common. The eBay price history demonstrates consistent market availability and modest values across all grades, with UNC examples selling for $9-$86 depending on professional grading level, and catalog values (2016) listing UNC at $2. The regular issue status, straightforward print run for a major denomination of a central bank, and steady supply in the collector market all indicate this is a commonly encountered note. The 1952 date represents the foundational issue period for modern Paraguayan currency, which typically means substantial production quantities.
This note was issued under Decree Law No. 18 of March 25, 1952, following Paraguay's political restructuring in the post-World War II period. General José E. Díaz, depicted on the obverse, was a significant military and political figure in Paraguayan history during this era of institutional development. The reverse's emphasis on the Banco Central building reflected the central bank's role as a stabilizing institution during Paraguay's early years of modern monetary policy after the tumultuous 1930s-1940s.
The obverse presents a formal portrait of General José E. Díaz, a Paraguayan military figure, depicted in three-quarter view wearing a military uniform with rank insignia and decorations. The portrait is centrally positioned and rendered in fine engraved detail characteristic of Thomas De La Rue's work. The design employs a predominantly dark blue color scheme with ornate floral medallions positioned in all four corners, each containing decorative denomination numerals. The coat of arms of Paraguay appears in the upper right corner as a circular seal. The reverse features a detailed architectural engraving of the Banco Central del Paraguay building in Asunción, depicted in classical institutional style with prominent columns, multiple window bays, and formal proportions rendered in red/pink tones. Ornamental border patterns with repeating geometric designs frame the entire composition, and decorative numeral 5s appear in square frames at each corner of both sides.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DEL PARAGUAY' (Central Bank of Paraguay); 'GENERAL JOSE E DIAZ' (named portrait subject); 'CINCO GARANTIES' (Five Guaranties); 'REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY' (Republic of Paraguay); 'PAZ Y JUSTICIA' (Peace and Justice - national motto); 'EL BANCO CENTRAL DEL PARAGUAY RECONOCE ESTE BILLETE POR' (The Central Bank of Paraguay recognizes this note as); 'ESTE BILLETE TIENE CURSO LEGAL Y FUERZA CANCELATORIA ILIMITADA EN TODO EL TERRITORIO DE LA REPÚBLICA (DECRETO LEY No. 18 DEL 25 DE MARZO DE 1952)' (This note has legal course and unlimited cancellation power throughout the territory of the Republic - Decree Law No. 18 of March 25, 1952); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO LTD LONDRES (INGLATERRA)' (Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd London England); signature lines for 'PRESIDENTE' (President) and 'GERENTE' (Manager). BACK SIDE: 'REPÚBLICA DEL PARAGUAY' (Republic of Paraguay); 'CINCO GARANTIES' (Five Guaranties); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO LTD LONDRES (INGLATERRA)' (Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd London England).
Steel engraving and intaglio printing, the standard security printing method employed by Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd of London. The note exhibits characteristic fine line work, intricate engraved detail work, and the precise registration visible in overlapping design elements. The use of multiple colors (blue and red) indicates separate engraved plates. The security features included in the elaborate decorative patterns and fine engraving would have provided contemporary protection against counterfeiting.
This note is catalogued as Pick P-186c. The PMG population report indicates P-186a exists as a variant within the base Pick number P-186, suggesting multiple signature combinations or minor design variations exist for 5 Guaraníes 1952 notes. The serial number visible on this example (A8226459) appears in two locations on the front. Without access to a comprehensive signature variety database, the specific signature combination for P-186c cannot be definitively confirmed from the visual analysis alone, but the note's characteristics are consistent with the standard 1952 Banco Central del Paraguay issue.
