5 Pesos

The Banco Nacional de Venezuela was founded in 1841 — the same year this note was issued — making it the country's first formal banking institution. The bank's lifespan was brief; political opposition, accusations of monopolistic privilege, and a hostile Congress forced its closure by 1850. Notes from this institution are accordingly rare, and the earliest dated issues rarest of all.

Printing locally in Caracas rather than contracting a European security printer was an unusual choice for the period, when most Latin American banks of issue relied on British or French firms. The quality of locally produced notes varied considerably as a result.