Olive green, purple, orange, red, brown, and blue tones give Costa Rica’s 5 Colones note the character of a cultivated republic, where portraiture, orchid blossom, and export allegory share one engraved surface.
Design & Symbolism
Obverse
The obverse places Rafael Iglesias Castro beside the national flower, the Guarianthe skinneri orchid, with Spanish text and formal Central Bank lettering surrounding the portrait. The design joins presidential authority with botanical symbolism, while the long-running spelling error in the printed name, Yglesias instead of Iglesias, gives the note a distinct catalogue nuance.
Reverse
The reverse reproduces Aleardo Villa’s 1897 allegory of coffee and bananas, with produce being loaded onto ships at dock and figures arranged across a busy coastal trade scene. The composition turns agricultural wealth into a national tableau, linking plantation labour, maritime commerce, and the cultural setting of the National Theatre.
Collector’s Insight
For collectors, this 5 Colones note is the 1983 P-236d variety with the Castillo Morales / Navarro Meléndez signature combination, belonging to the later stage of Costa Rica’s 1968-1992 issue. Its De La Rue production, absence of watermark and security thread on the post-1977 type, corrected J. Villa artist inscription on the reverse, and persistent Yglesias/Iglesias name anomaly give the note a precise technical and catalogue position within Costa Rica’s long-running 5 Colones series.
Shipping & Guarantee
Each banknote is carefully handled and securely packed to ensure safe delivery. Authenticity is guaranteed.
Serial number and prefix may vary from the reference image.
