5 soles 1921
About This Note
This is an exceptional example of a Peruvian provisional check (cheque provisional) from October 1, 1921, denominated in 5 Peruvian Gold Pounds, issued with forced circulation guarantee during a period of monetary instability. The note displays the characteristic ornate heraldic design typical of emergency currency of the era, featuring a crowned equestrian figure in the central coat of arms flanked by shield emblems. Despite significant age-related wear including extensive foxing, fading, and multiple creases throughout both sides, the note retains its AU grade assessment, making it a notable example of Peru's early 20th-century financial emergency instruments.
Common. While this note carries the status of 'P-unlisted' in the Pick catalog, indicating it was not formally cataloged in the standard references, provisional checks and emergency currency from Peru's 1920s monetary crisis were issued in substantial quantities across multiple regions. The presence of a specific serial number (1365) and regional issuance from the Eastern Territory suggests part of a large series. The AU grade and significant circulation wear patterns indicate this was a working currency actively used in commerce rather than a limited special issue. Emergency checks of this type from Peru are regularly encountered in the market and among collectors of Latin American emergency currency.
This provisional check represents Peru's monetary response to fiscal crises in the early 1920s, a period when the nation struggled with currency stability and economic uncertainty following World War I. The inscription explicitly states the check was 'issued with the guarantee of state debt, fiscal and departmental revenue,' reflecting the Peruvian government's attempt to provide emergency liquidity backed by state resources. The designation as a regional issue from the Eastern Territory (E.T.R. Oriente), issued by the Political and Military Chief and Customs Administrator, demonstrates the decentralized nature of Peru's monetary emergency measures during this turbulent economic period.
The front displays a formal heraldic composition centered on a crowned equestrian figure representing the Peruvian state authority, flanked by two shield emblems each containing the numeral 5 denoting the denomination. The design is framed by elaborate ornamental scrollwork and geometric corner flourishes executed in fine engraved lines. The back side presents a more minimalist reverse design featuring three circular medallions arranged horizontally—two smaller shields bearing the number 5 on either side of a larger central circular emblem—all enclosed within matching ornate decorative borders. The entire composition employs a cream and tan color scheme with gold/yellow accents, characteristic of official Peruvian currency design from this period. The note was issued in Iquitos, the major city in Peru's eastern jungle region, which is explicitly identified in the administrative signatures.
FRONT SIDE: 'Cheque Provisional' (Provisional Check); 'De Circulación Forza' (Of Forced Circulation); 'Emitido con la Garantía de la Deuda del Estado Rentas Fiscales y Departamentales' (Issued with the Guarantee of State Debt, Fiscal and Departmental Revenue); 'Iquitos 1º de Octubre 1921' (Iquitos, October 1st, 1921); 'Cinco Libras Peruanas de Oro' (Five Peruvian Gold Pounds); Serial number 'Nº 1365'; 'Cap. Jefe Político y Militar' (Captain, Political and Military Chief); 'Admor. de la Aduana' (Customs Administrator); 'Por E.T.R. Oriente' (By/For East Territory Region). BACK SIDE: 'Cinco Libras Peruanas de Oro' (Five Peruvian Gold Pounds).
Intaglio/engraved printing, evidenced by the fine line work, elaborate scroll patterns, and the deeply rendered geometric designs visible throughout both sides. The ornate border treatments and circular medallion designs show the characteristic precision of bank note engraving. The multiple layers of text in varying point sizes and the consistent ink application patterns throughout are consistent with professional security printing of the period. While the specific security printer is not identified in available catalog data for this unlisted Pick number, the quality of execution suggests production by a competent currency printer, likely either domestic Peruvian facilities or a contracted international security printer.
This specimen is numbered 1365 and was issued from the Eastern Territory (E.T.R. Oriente) administrative district on October 1, 1921 from Iquitos. Varieties of this type would be distinguished by: serial number ranges, regional issuance points (different territorial administrators), signature variations, and potentially different dates within the 1921 issuance period. Without access to comprehensive catalog data for these provisional checks, specific variety classifications cannot be definitively assigned, though the combination of serial number, issuing location, and date serves to uniquely identify this particular specimen.
