5 gulden 1963
Market Prices
15 salesAbout This Note
This is a beautifully preserved Suriname 5 Gulden note from 1963, issued by the Centrale Bank van Suriname on September 1st. The note displays excellent condition consistent with its UNC grade, featuring intricate engraved blue and multicolor designs with a portrait of a woman in traditional dress on the obverse and the national coat of arms on the reverse. The note showcases fine line work typical of Johan Enschede's printing craftsmanship, with the characteristic toucan watermark and small serial numbers visible.
Common. This is a regular issue from 1963 with typical circulation characteristics for post-war banknotes. eBay market data confirms commonality, with UNC examples consistently selling in the $2-$7 range (with occasional outliers), and the 2019 catalogue value for UNC listed at only $0.75. Large print runs and ready availability in the secondary market indicate this is not a scarce or rare variant.
This 1963 issue represents an early post-independence monetary design for Suriname (independent from the Netherlands in 1975), featuring national symbols including the coat of arms with the palm tree, star, and the Latin motto 'Justitia Pietas Fides' (Justice, Piety, Faith). The prominent female portrait in traditional dress reflects Suriname's cultural heritage during the early years of the Central Bank's operations. The design represents a transitional period in Surinamese monetary history, with updated arms design replacing the 1957 issue.
The obverse features a portrait of a female dignitary or national figure labeled 'President,' rendered in classical engraving style, wearing traditional Surinamese dress with white garments and beaded necklaces. She is adorned with an ornamental crown or headdress. To the left is a decorative basket or vessel with produce, and a prominent stylized flower or sun motif in red and pink with radiating lines appears in the center, symbolizing national prosperity. The reverse displays Suriname's national coat of arms as the central element, featuring two classical figures in standing poses flanking a shield containing a palm tree, water elements, and a star. A large radiating sunburst pattern with the numeral '5' appears on the left side. The entire design is framed by ornate decorative borders with repeating patterns at top and bottom, printed predominantly in blue with red/brown and orange accents.
FRONT: 'Centrale Bank van Suriname' (Central Bank of Suriname), 'Vijf Gulden' (Five Guilders), '1 September 1963' (issue date), 'President' (identification of portrait subject), 'Camechelse del' (artist attribution - Camechelse drew this), 'Joh Enschede en Zonen Imp' (Joh Enschede and Sons printed this). BACK: '5' (denomination marker), 'Justitia Pietas Fides' (Justice Piety Faith - national motto on banner), 'CG069419' (serial number), 'Surinaams Wetboek van Strafrecht' (Surinamese Criminal Code), 'Negen Jaren Drieënderd Gulden' (Nine Years Three Hundred Guilders - legal text reference).
Intaglio (line engraving) on banknote stock, printed by Johan Enschede en Zonen (JEZ) of the Netherlands. The extensive fine line work, intricate ornamental patterns, and radiating design elements are characteristic of high-quality intaglio banknote production. Security features include the toucan watermark (observed in paper), fine engraved detail work throughout, and the printer's imprint visible on the note.
This note is catalogued as Pick 120a. The catalog data indicates two serial number varieties exist for this issue. The visual analysis shows 'CG069419' as the serial number on the observed specimen, which represents the small size serial number variety typical of the 1963 issue. Pick 120b variant is also documented in the PMG population report, printed by JEZ, though the specific distinguishing feature between 120a and 120b is not fully detailed in available sources. No overprints or unusual signatures are evident on this specimen.
