5 leones 1980

Common. Despite being a commemorative issue, eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $30-$85 range for AUNC and UNC examples, with the 2019 catalogue value for UNC noted at $22.50. The regular appearance of this note in market sales (multiple transactions between 2015-2022) and modest pricing structure indicate this was a sufficient print run to meet collector demand. The OAU Conference overprint, while historically significant, does not command premium rarity pricing, suggesting the print run was adequate for the commemorative purpose.

Issued to commemorate the significant Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Conference held in Freetown in 1980, this banknote represents an important moment in Sierra Leone's post-independence history under President Siaka Stevens' leadership. The conference, held in July 1980, was a major Pan-African diplomatic event that elevated Sierra Leone's international profile. The note's imagery—Stevens' portrait alongside the Parliament building—symbolizes the nation's governance institutions and Stevens' central role in leading the country during this pivotal period of African institutional cooperation.

The obverse features a formal portrait of President Siaka Stevens positioned at the left side of the note, depicted wearing a ceremonial traditional hat and formal attire, facing forward in three-quarter view. The center of the note contains ornamental patterns, the Bank of Sierra Leone text, and the promise-to-pay clause characteristic of Commonwealth currency design. The right side displays a circular seal/medallion with heraldic ornamentation. The entire note is framed with decorative botanical elements (floral and leaf motifs) and intricate geometric borders with fine crosshatching work throughout. The reverse depicts the Parliament building of Freetown rendered in three-dimensional isometric architectural perspective, showing the modern institutional structure with landscaping details. The national coat of arms appears at upper right. A large circular cartouche frame is positioned on the left side, and the denomination numerals '5' appear in all four corners. The color palette combines purple and blue-black as dominant tones with multicolor underprinting in green, yellow/gold, red, and cream.

Front side: 'BANK OF SIERRA LEONE' (issuing authority); 'promise to pay on demand the sum of' (standard promise clause); 'FIVE LEONES' (denomination in words); 'ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY CONFERENCE . FREETOWN 1980' (commemorative overprint text); '13 JULY 1980' (specific conference date); 'GOVERNOR' and 'DEPUTY GOVERNOR' (signature designations); 'DIRECTORS' (signature line); Serial number '+001715' (note identifier); Multiple denomination numerals '5' (in corners). Back side: 'BANK OF SIERRA LEONE' (issuing authority); 'FIVE LEONES' (denomination); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED' (printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company Limited of London, the renowned British security printer. The visual evidence supports this through the presence of fine line work, detailed crosshatching, crisp portrait rendering, and complex geometric patterns characteristic of the intaglio process. The sharp print quality and excellent detail preservation in the UNC specimen demonstrates the high technical standards of de la Rue's work during this period.

This note is the commemorative variant of the Sierra Leone 5 Leones series. PMG catalogues this as P-12 (regular issue) with a variant P-12s designated as 'Commemorative,' indicating the OAU Conference overprint creates a distinct catalogable variety. The specific variety observed here is distinguished by the '13 JULY 1980' date and 'ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY CONFERENCE . FREETOWN 1980' overprint text. The serial number format and signature varieties may exist within this commemorative issue, though the single specimen examined here carries serial number +001715.