5 Pesos

The Banco Popular de Bolívar was one of several regional Colombian banks that issued private currency during the free banking period established under the 1865 banking laws — a deliberately decentralized system that lasted until the Regeneración government began revoking bank privileges in the 1880s and 1890s. The American Bank Note Company supplied notes to dozens of Latin American institutions during this period, often reusing adapted plate elements across multiple clients, which means the engraved quality here reflects a stock of craft rather than a bespoke commission.

Bolívar department notes from this issuer are among the scarcer provincial Colombian private bank survivors.