5 Pesos 2001 - Patacon

General Description : The Patacón (officially called Letra de Tesorería para Cancelación de Obligaciones de la Provincia de Buenos Aires) was a bond issued by the government of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, during 2001. The patacones were used to pay government bills, including state employees' salaries during a period when the economic crisis caused regular currency (Argentine pesos) to be scarce. There were two series (series A maturing in 2003, while B in 2006) and it is estimated that the total amount of emissions reached 2.705 million Patacones. The printing of these bonds was carried out by Calcográfica Ciccone and the name patacón is derived from a former Argentine national currency.

Front Description : It shows the portrait of Dardo Rocha (September 1, 1838 - September 6, 1921) who was an Argentine naval officer, lawyer and politician best known as the founder of the city of La Plata (the capital city of the province of Buenos Aires) and the University of La Plata. The central character portrait, texts, values and shield, are printed in intaglio and below the title Provincia de Buenos Aires is a line that when viewed through a magnifying glass shows the legend "Provincia de Buenos Aires".

Back Description : It shows excerpts from the law 12,727 which approves the issuance of these bonds and a view of the La Catedral Metropolitana de La Plata "Inmaculada Concepción" in the background. It is the main Catholic church in La Plata, one of the largest in Latin America and considered one of the ten most important cathedrals in the world. Its plans were drawn by architect Ernesto Meyer under the direction of city planner Pedro Benoit and the cornerstone was laid in 1884.
The value of the banknote can be seen repeatedly in various sizes, printed in invisible ink which reacts with UV light changing to fluorescent bright yellow. It also has identification for the blind with Braille language related characteristics.