The Sovereign State of Cauca
Bearer Voucher · Class B · Five Pesos
Historical and Issue Context
A state within the federation:Under the Constitution of Rionegro of 1863, the United States of Colombia was organized as a federation of nine sovereign states with broad fiscal autonomy, among them the Sovereign State of Cauca, with capital in Popayán —each empowered to issue its own vouchers and treasury notes.
Backed by regional law:This voucher was issued under State Law N.° 4 of 1881, and was admissible in all collection offices for the payment of income and state contributions, in the proportion of ten percent — a common fiscal mechanism among federal states to finance their treasury without depending on the National Bank.
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:coat of arms of the Sovereign State of Cauca on the left; to the right, a circular geometric rosette that frames the numeral “5”.
- Main text:“ recognizes to the bearer the sum of FIVE PESOS (without interest), admissible in accordance with article 3.° of law number 4.° of 1881, in all State collection offices, in payment of the rents and contributions established or to be established, in the proportion of ten percent”.
- Signatures:four headings corresponding to the President of the Superior Court of Justice, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General of the State and the General Administrator of the Treasury.
- Reverse:endorsement text “Refrendado por ser auténtico y verdadero”, signed by El Presidente (R. M. Arana) and El Secretario (M. S. Barreiro).
- Printing:engraved typography and ornamentation by Litografía Paredes & Cía. of Bogotá, the firm that printed the entire series of vouchers in this issue, from 1 to 10 pesos.
Notes
1. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Specialized Issues), designation Pick n.° S142, within the section of issues of sovereign states of Colombia; the vouchers of the same series of Lithography Walls & Cía. range from Pick S141 (1 Peso) to Pick S143 (10 Pesos).
