5 bolivares 1968

Common. This is a regular issue of the Banco Central de Venezuela with a substantial print run over the 1968-1974 period. The eBay comparable sales data shows UNC examples selling for approximately $12.50-$14.50, well within the typical price range for common Venezuelan notes of this era. The serial number prefix 'F' is a standard production variant. No production scarcity, recall history, or major variety premium exists for this Pick number.

This note commemorates two pivotal figures in Venezuelan and Latin American independence: Simón Bolívar (the Libertador) and Francisco de Miranda, both instrumental in the early 19th-century struggle against Spanish colonial rule. The reverse depicts the National Pantheon in Caracas, Venezuela's monument to national heroes, reinforcing the patriotic theme of the note's design. Issued during the presidency era in 1968, this banknote reflects Venezuela's continued reverence for its independence heroes during the mid-20th century.

The obverse features two facing male portrait busts in a confrontational arrangement: Simón Bolívar (left), South America's great military liberator and founder of Gran Colombia, depicted with military decorations; and Francisco de Miranda (right), the precursor of Venezuelan independence, shown in profile. Both portraits are surrounded by fine guilloche work and ornamental wreath designs in the center. The reverse depicts the National Pantheon of Caracas as its central architectural feature — a neoclassical edifice with a prominent central spire flanked by two smaller towers set against a mountainous landscape. The Venezuelan coat of arms (shield with horizontal stripes and a rearing horse) appears in the lower left, while a large circular rosette with the numeral '5' at its center occupies the lower right. All four corners display the denomination numeral '5' within decorative frames. The overall color scheme is predominantly pink and magenta on cream/beige underprinting, with fine detail work throughout providing anti-counterfeiting security.

FRONT SIDE: 'Banco Central de Venezuela' (Central Bank of Venezuela) / 'Caracas' (City of issue) / 'Bolívar Libertador' (Bolívar the Liberator) / 'Francisco de Miranda' (Venezuelan independence figure) / 'Cinco Bolívares' (Five Bolivares) / 'Pagaderos al portador en las oficinas del Banco' (Payable to the bearer at the bank's offices) / 'Setbre -24- 1968' (September 24, 1968 — Catalan/Spanish date) / 'Presidente' (President) / 'Presente' (Present). BACK SIDE: 'Banco Central de Venezuela' (Central Bank of Venezuela) / 'Cinco Bolívares' (Five Bolivares) / 'República de Venezuela' (Republic of Venezuela) / 'Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited' (Printer identification) / 'Panteon' (Pantheon). Serial number observed: F0599066 with prefix F.

Intaglio engraving, printed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited (London), as confirmed by the printer's imprint on the reverse. The fine line guilloche patterns, intricate cross-hatching in portrait areas, detailed architectural engraving of the Pantheon, and ornamental border elements are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The multiple fine-line background patterns and delicate linework throughout demonstrate professional security printer standards typical of TDLR's mid-20th century banknote work.

Serial number prefix observed: F (prefix F and E variants are noted in source catalogs as standard for this issue). The date observed on the obverse is 'Setbre -24- 1968' (September 24, 1968), which corresponds to the issuance authorization date. This is a standard variety within the Pick P-50a classification. No overprints, commemorative markings, or error varieties are noted. The note appears to be from the regular circulation series with no distinguishing characteristics that would constitute a separate Pick variety number.