5 soles 1966
Market Prices
46 salesAbout This Note
This is an AU-graded 5 Soles de Oro from Peru dated November 18, 1966, displaying the classic design of Liberty seated with shield and staff on the obverse, surrounded by intricate ornamental borders and scrollwork. The reverse features Peru's national coat of arms in elaborate detail, with the note exhibiting crisp printing, clean margins, and no visible wear—characteristics consistent with its AU condition grade. This is a common banknote from the 1962-1968 series printed by Thomas de la Rue, with secondary market values typically ranging from $2-7 for AU specimens.
Common. This note is from a long-running series (1962-1968) with substantial print runs across multiple date variants. Secondary market data shows consistent sales activity with AU and UNC examples regularly selling for $2-7, with occasional PMG-graded examples (64-66) reaching $14-20. The broad price range and frequency of sales indicate robust availability in the collector market, typical of common mid-20th century Latin American banknotes.
Issued during Peru's mid-20th century period under the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú, this note reflects the country's "Soles de Oro" currency system established by Law No. 13858. The allegorical Liberty figure holding a staff represents Peru's democratic ideals of the era, while the prominent national coat of arms on the reverse emphasizes state authority and national sovereignty during a period of relative monetary stability in Peru.
The obverse features a classical allegorical female figure representing Liberty or Justice, depicted in neoclassical style seated and holding a staff or torch, with a heraldic shield positioned beside her. She is framed by elaborate ornamental cartouches with scrollwork, geometric patterns, and decorative borders characteristic of high-quality security printing. The reverse displays Peru's national coat of arms—a quartered shield containing heraldic elements including flora (laurel or palm fronds suggesting victory and honor) and fauna symbols within an ornate circular frame. Both sides employ fine line engraving and complex geometric patterning as anti-counterfeiting measures. The color scheme of green on multicolor underprint creates visual security and aesthetic appeal.
FRONT: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DEL PERÚ' (Central Reserve Bank of Peru); 'PAGARÁ AL PORTADOR' (Will pay to bearer); 'CINCO SOLES DE ORO' (Five soles of gold); 'DE ACUERDO CON LA LEY Nº 13858' (In accordance with Law No. 13858); 'LIMA' (Lima); '18 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1966' (November 18, 1966); 'SERIE J' (Series J); Serial number '956643'; 'Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd' (printer attribution). BACK: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DEL PERÚ' (Central Reserve Bank of Peru); '5' and 'CINCO SOLES DE ORO' (denomination indicators); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & CO LTD' (printer name).
Intaglio engraving by Thomas de la Rue & Company Ltd, London—the premier security printer of the era. The note exhibits characteristic intaglio qualities: raised, precisely-defined line work; intricate scrollwork and geometric patterns; fine detail in the allegorical figure and heraldic shield; and complex border designs. The crisp impression and sharp detail visible in both the front and back confirm professional security-grade engraving and printing on quality banknote stock.
This specimen is dated 18 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1966 (November 18, 1966) and belongs to Series J, specifically identified as J120 based on the visible serial number prefix. The visual analysis confirms this as Pick P-83, which encompasses the 1962-1968 date range with multiple print dates (1962, 20.9.1963, 18.6.1965, 18.11.1966, and 23.2.1968). The specific 1966 date variant shown here is one of four known date varieties within this Pick number. PMG records indicate P-83a as a catalogued variant, though the exact distinguishing feature requires reference to detailed Pick specifications.
