Issued by the Banco Central de Costa Rica in 1989, this 5 Colones banknote reflects the modern design approach of late 20th-century Costa Rican currency.
The obverse features a portrait of José María Castro Madriz, the first President of Costa Rica, surrounded by decorative guilloché patterns and inscriptions in Spanish. The denomination is clearly displayed in numerals and words.
The reverse depicts a scenic view of Costa Rican landscapes, highlighting the country’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Printed on cotton-based paper, the note measures 140 × 66 mm and includes a watermark, security thread, and microtext.
Obverse
Green backprint with orange purple flower area.
Portrait of Rafael Iglesias Castro on the right, to the left the national flower of Costa Rica, the Orchid Easter orchid (SP: Guaria Morada) (LT: Guarianthe skinneri)
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA
SAN JOSÉ,
COSTA RICA
RAFAEL YGLESIAS CASTRO
PRESIDENTE EJECUTIVO GERENTE
CINCO COLONES
Translation: Central Bank of Costa Rica, Executive President Manager, Five Colones
Reverse
“The Allegory of the Coffee and Bananas”, mural by Aleardo Villa, 1897
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA
ALEGORÍA. TEATRO NACIONAL. J.VILLA 1897
CINCO COLONES
Translation: Central Bank of Costa Rica, Allegory. National Theatre, Five Colones
Watermark
Number “5” in stylized font.
© Mito0504 (CC BY-SA)
Printer
De La Rue (Thomas de la Rue; Thomas De La Rue & Co.; TDLR), London, United Kingdom (1821-date)
Features
| Issuer | Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Central Bank of Costa Rica (Banco Central de Costa Rica) |
| Period | Second Republic (1948-date) |
| Type | Standard circulation banknotes |
| Years | 1968-1992 |
| Value | 5 Colones (5 CRC) |
| Currency | Colón (1896-date) |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | 155 × 67 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Demonetized | Yes |
