Chile – 5 Céntesimos – ND (1960–1964) – Overprint on 50 Pesos Pick# 126b | Overprint Note on Pick# 121 | Numista# 205210
A fascinating transitional issue in Chilean currency history, the 5 Céntesimos banknote (Pick# 126b) is a red overprint applied to an earlier 50 Pesos note (Pick# 121). Issued by the Banco Central de Chile during the early 1960s, this provisional note reflects the country’s shift from the peso to the escudo, making it a prized collectible for those interested in Latin American monetary reform and overprint varieties.
🔁 Overprint Details:
Original base note: 50 Pesos (Pick# 121)
Red overprint: “5 CÉNTESIMOS DE ESCUDO”
Used as a temporary low-denomination note during the currency transition
Variant 126b features a 22 mm printer’s imprint
👤 Obverse:
Portrait of Aníbal Pinto, President of Chile (1876–1881)
Original text: “CINCUENTA PESOS CONVERTIBLES EN ORO”
Red overprint applied diagonally across the denomination
Color scheme: Green on multicolored underprint
🏛️ Reverse:
Central Bank of Chile seal
Red overprint with new denomination: 5 Céntesimos de Escudo
Retains original 50 Pesos design elements
🔐 Security Features:
Watermark: Portrait of Diego Portales
Paper note with fine-line engraving and traditional anti-counterfeit features
📐 Specifications:
Issue Period: 1960–1964
Currency: Escudo (introduced in 1960)
Size: 145 × 70 mm
Material: Paper
Printer: Casa de Moneda de Chile
Catalog References: Pick# 126b | Overprint on Pick# 121 | Numista# 205210
Signatures: Luis Mackenna Shiell (President, Banco Central) & Francisco Ibáñez Barceló (General Manager)
💡 Collector Insights:
A rare provisional issue, highly sought after for its historical context and overprint uniqueness
Popular among collectors of Chilean currency, transitional banknotes, and overprint varieties
Increasingly scarce in high grades, especially with crisp paper and clear overprint
Represents a key moment in Chile’s economic modernization and currency reform
🛒 Shop Rare Chilean Banknotes Online Explore our full range of collectible Chilean banknotes at Notescounter. From escudo-era rarities to modern polymer issues, our notes are carefully sourced and catalogued for collectors who value authenticity and history.
