5 pesos 1942

Common. eBay market prices for this denomination in VF condition average around $35.00 USD, with circulated examples selling for $2.49-$13.73 USD and only uncirculated examples reaching $299.99 USD. The regular issue status combined with moderate pricing in VF grade indicates this is a commonly available note to collectors. While emergency currency from this period has historical interest, the 1942 Philippine emergency certificates were produced in substantial quantities across multiple provinces, making individual examples relatively common in the secondary market.

This emergency currency certificate was issued under the authority of the Philippine Commonwealth during the critical 1942 period when the nation faced severe economic disruption during Japanese occupation. The note's redemption clause promising face value exchange 'upon termination of emergency' reflects the temporary nature of these certificates as substitutes for regular currency. The Bohol Emergency Currency Board, operating from Tagbilaran, was one of several regional boards that issued local emergency currency to maintain commerce in isolated provinces cut off from centralized banking systems.

The design is a formal, text-heavy certificate format typical of emergency wartime currency. The front features centered text with decorative corner ornaments and symmetric border patterns in black ink on a tan/beige paper stock. A circular seal with an eagle or bird emblem appears on the right side, symbolizing official Philippine authority. The note includes prominent denomination declarations and redemption terms, with signature lines at the bottom for three provincial officials required to authorize the certificate. The reverse maintains the symmetric design with geometric border patterns framing the denomination and issuer information centered on the page. The overall aesthetic emphasizes governmental legitimacy and official authorization rather than artistic embellishment.

FRONT SIDE: 'TREASURY EMERGENCY CURRENCY CERTIFICATE' / 'BY AUTHORITY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES' / 'THIS CERTIFIES THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES' / 'WILL REDEEM THIS CERTIFICATE OF 1942' / 'AT FACE VALUE UPON TERMINATION OF EMERGENCY' / 'FIVE PESOS' / 'PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND' / 'IN LAWFUL CURRENCY OF THE PHILIPPINES' / 'BOHOL EMERGENCY CURRENCY BOARD' / Serial Number: '184113' (printed in red) / Signature lines for 'ACTING PROVINCIAL TREASURER MEMBER', 'PROVINCIAL AUDITOR CHAIRMAN', and 'PROVINCIAL FISCAL MEMBER'. BACK SIDE: 'FIVE PESOS' / 'ISSUED BY THE BOHOL EMERGENCY CURRENCY BOARD' / 'TAGBILARAN, BOHOL' / 'FIVE PESOS' / 'PHILIPPINES' / 'FIVE PESOS' (repeated in border areas).

Letterpress printing on plain paper stock, characteristic of emergency currency produced under wartime constraints. The crisp black text impression and decorative border elements are consistent with traditional letterpress methods. The red serial number 184113 appears to have been applied in a separate press run. No evidence of advanced security printing techniques typical of later Philippine banknotes; the security features are limited to the official seal and border design patterns. This utilitarian approach was typical of Philippine provincial emergency currency boards operating with limited resources during 1942.

This note is identified as Pick P-S136i, indicating it is variety 'i' of the 5 Pesos 1942 emergency certificate issue. The serial number 184113 in red ink is documented. The issuer specifically identified as 'BOHOL EMERGENCY CURRENCY BOARD' operating from Tagbilaran indicates this is the Bohol provincial variant. Known varieties of this issue include different provincial boards (Bohol being one of several), though detailed catalogs should be consulted for comprehensive variety information including different signature combinations and serial number ranges that may denote separate printings or authorization batches.