Issued by the Banco de la República in 2001, this 5000 Pesos banknote features the portrait of José Asunción Silva, one of Colombia’s most important poets, on the obverse. The background includes floral motifs and security patterns inspired by his literary works.
The reverse depicts a seated figure of Silva surrounded by nature, symbolizing the romantic and introspective themes of his poetry. Printed on cotton paper, the note measures 140 × 70 mm and incorporates a watermark of José Asunción Silva, a security thread, microtext, and latent images for authenticity.
Obverse
José Asunción Silva looking forward, a frog on the left and a flying insect on the right.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BANCO DE LA REPUBLICA
5000 – CINCO MIL PESOS
COLOMBIA
Translation:
BANK OF THE REPUBLIC
5000 – FIVE THOUSAND PESOS
COLOMBIA
Engraver: Juan Cárdenas
Reverse
Nighttime forest with Elvira Silva: José’s sister. Two goose feathers symbolizing the poets writing tool and a pedestal including a fragment of his masterpiece “Nocturno III” inspired in her.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CINCO MIL PESOS
Translation: FIVE THOUSAND PESOS
Engraver: Juan Cárdenas
Watermark
Portrait of Jose A. Silva; seal of the Bank over the watermark area, visible on the obverse side only.
© RuibaiK (CC BY-NC)
Printer
Imprenta de Billetes, Bogotá, Colombia
