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5 pesos 1944

Asia › Philippines
P-S6751944Commonwealth of the PhilippinesVG
5 pesos 1944 from Philippines, P-S675 (1944) — image 1
5 pesos 1944 from Philippines, P-S675 (1944) — image 2

Negros Emerg.

Market Prices

AU$161(1)
VF$4(1)
F$3(1)
VG$49(1)
CIRC$6(1)

About This Note

This is a Philippine 5 Pesos emergency currency note from 1944, issued by the Commonwealth of the Philippines during the Japanese occupation period. The VG-graded example displays typical aging characteristics with tan discoloration, faded printing, and foxing throughout, yet retains legible text and clear design elements including the decorative geometric borders and red official seal. This Negros Emergency Currency Board issue represents an important transitional monetary artifact from one of the most turbulent periods in Philippine history.

Rarity

Common. The eBay price tracking data shows VG-graded examples trading at approximately $49.00 USD, while other condition grades range from $2.99 (Fair) to $161.00 (AU). The presence of multiple comparable sales across various grades indicates steady market supply and collector interest without scarcity premiums. The 1944 Philippine 5 Pesos is a regular issue from the Commonwealth period with substantial print runs, making it readily available to collectors.

Historical Context

The 1944 Philippine 5 Pesos note was issued under emergency authority by the President of the Philippines during the final year of World War II and Japanese occupation. The Negros Emergency Currency Board designation reflects regional monetary administration during the Commonwealth period, when normal banking infrastructure was disrupted and emergency circulating currency became necessary. The note's redemption clause promising payment 'in silver present or in legal tender' underscores the economic uncertainty and the government's attempt to maintain currency credibility amid wartime conditions.

Design

The note features a formal certificate-style design typical of emergency currency issues. The front presents a tan/beige field with a decorative border of repeating geometric squares in green and dark green, establishing the official character of the issue. The denomination 'FIVE PESOS' is prominently displayed in red at the center, with the authorizing text and redemption clause arranged in formal legal language below. An official circular seal emblem in red appears on the right side. The back employs a simpler, more symmetrical design with the same geometric border pattern rendered in red/pink tones, with 'Five Philippine Pesos' as the central text and denomination numerals '5' anchoring all four corners. The design lacks portrait imagery, focusing instead on geometric security elements and clear denomination marking.

Inscriptions

FRONT: 'Emergency Circulating Currency Pacticals' / 'Issued by authority of the President of the Philippines' / 'This certifies that the Commonwealth of the Philippines will redeem this certificate at face value upon presentation of emergency' / 'SERIES OF 1944' / 'FIVE PESOS' / 'Payable to the Bearer on demand in silver present or in legal tender pursuant of the Negosyo Emergency Currency Board' / Serial Number: 195522 / Signature lines labeled 'CHAIRMAN' and 'MEMBER'. BACK: 'Five Philippine Pesos' with large numeral '5' positioned in all four corners.

Printing Technique

Letterpress printing, the standard method for Philippine emergency currency of the 1944 period. The note exhibits characteristics typical of wartime printing conditions: somewhat degraded print quality in places, uneven ink saturation, and variations in color intensity. The geometric border patterns and text were likely printed from metal type or engraved plates. No evidence of advanced security printing techniques is present, consistent with emergency-issue specifications prioritizing rapid production over sophistication.

Varieties

This example is identified as Negros Emergency Currency Board issue (collector notation 'Negros Emerg.'). Serial number 195522 is visible. The 'SERIES OF 1944' inscription confirms the standard 1944 issue date. No overprints or secondary denominations are observed. Varieties for this Pick number (P-S675) may include different signature combinations on the signature lines and potentially different serial number ranges by region, though the Negros designation indicates this specific geographic variety.