5 bolivares 1974

Common. The eBay price history provided shows PMG 66 examples selling for approximately $20.50 in 2018 and PMG 65 for $28.19 in 2024, while uncirculated examples trade for under $3. This indicates robust supply in the secondary market. The note was a standard regular issue produced during 1968-1974 with no indication of a limited print run, recall, or short-lived status. The Pick catalog designation and widespread availability in various grades all confirm this as a common, widely-produced banknote.

This 1974 5 Bolívares note was issued during Venezuela's period of petroleum-driven economic expansion under the Central Bank of Venezuela. The note commemorates two pivotal figures in Venezuelan independence: Simón Bolívar (the Libertador) and Francisco de Miranda, positioning them as foundational to national identity. The reverse's depiction of the Panteón Nacional in Caracas, the nation's most important civic monument, reinforces the official and commemorative nature of the currency during a period of national confidence.

The obverse features two prominent male busts in a pink-red color scheme: Simón Bolívar on the left facing forward-left, and Francisco de Miranda on the right in right-facing profile. Both are identified by name and title beneath their portraits. The center contains ornamental design elements including the date January 29, 1974, signatures of the President and Vice-President, and bank identification text. Serial numbers appear on both sides. The reverse depicts the Panteón Nacional (National Pantheon) in Caracas as the dominant central architectural element, set against a mountainous landscape. The Venezuelan coat of arms with shield and laurel wreath appears on the left side, while a large decorative circular medallion containing the numeral '5' appears on the right. Large decorative '5' numerals appear in all four corners of both sides.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA' (Central Bank of Venezuela) / 'CARACAS' (Caracas, the capital) / 'Enero -29- 1974' (January 29, 1974) / 'CINCO BOLÍVARES' (Five Bolívares) / 'PAGADEROS AL PORTADOR EN LAS OFICINAS DEL BANCO' (Payable to bearer at the bank offices) / 'SIMÓN BOLÍVAR LIBERTADOR' (Simón Bolívar the Liberator) / 'FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA' (Francisco de Miranda) / 'PRESIDENTE' (President) / 'VICE-PRESIDENTE' (Vice-President) / Serial number: Z4569482. BACK SIDE: 'BANCO CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA' (Central Bank of Venezuela) / 'CINCO BOLÍVARES' (Five Bolívares) / 'PANTEÓN NACIONAL' (National Pantheon).

Intaglio engraving by Thomas de la Rue, London, a world-renowned security printer. The note displays characteristic fine-line engraved backgrounds with intricate guilloche patterns throughout, particularly visible in the ornamental frames, borders, and portrait areas. The detailed line work in both the portraits and the architectural rendering of the Panteón Nacional demonstrates the high-quality intaglio process. Security features include fine line pattern backgrounds and complex decorative borders and frames typical of de la Rue's premium banknote production.

Serial number prefix 'Z' with 7 digits (Z4569482) observed on this example. According to catalog references, serial number prefixes vary: U-Z series contain 7 digits, while A-E series contain 7 or 8 digits. The date of January 29, 1974 falls within the 1968-1974 production period. The specific signature combination and serial prefix may constitute a variety, but without comparison to other known varieties, this cannot be definitively established as a rare or sought-after variety.