This Brazilian banknote represents the 5th denomination of the 2nd Cruzeiro (2nd Family, Series 1981-85). The 2nd Cruzeiro was adopted in 1970, after the renaming of the Cruzeiro Novo. The Series 1981-85 (2nd Family) were preceded by the notes of the 1st Family. Which include the color-coded Series 1970 and a commemorative 500 Cruzeiro (1972).
Notably nearly all notes of the Series 1981-85 feature mirrored artwork. This feature was first introduced on the 1,000 Cruzeiro (1978). It can be identified from its 2nd Family variant, by its brownish color scheme. The non-mirrored 2nd Cruzeiro notes were later reissued, as the provisional Cruzado Overprint (1986).
In 1986, the Cruzado replaced the 2nd Cruzeiro.
Observe
The observe features a mirrored image of Castelo Branco (1897-1967). The 1st President of the 21 year long military dictatorship. As the former Chief of the General Staff, he served as president, after the 1964 coup d'état. His short presidency primarily focused on combating "subversive elements". He was killed by a mid-air collision near the city of Fortaleza, mere months after leaving the presidency.
The note's offset title reads, the (trans.) "Central Bank of Brazil". At the upper-left and right are number "5000"s, referring to the note's 5000 Cruzeiros value. Below the right number "5000" is one of the note's dual watermarks. When backlighting the note will expose a mirrored Castelo Branco watermark. Doing so will also complete the registration element below it.
The note's "footer" is an exact mirrored copy of the beforementioned.
Reverse
The reverse features a mirrored image of a hydroelectric dam, overlaid by satellite dishes. The dam depicted is the Itaipu Dam, on the Brazilian-Paraguay border. Built from 1971-1982, it represents the largest hydroelectric dam in the Americas. Notably the satellite dishes depicted, are used to represent the 1980s telecommunication revolution.
The title above reads (trans) "Five Thousand Cruzeiros". To the left is a number "5000", with a signature below it. This signature represents the President of the National Monetary Council. At the note's upper-right is one of the note's serial numbers (B 2122089155A). Below the serial number is the second half of the observe registration element.
Just the observe, the reverse "footer" is an exact mirrored copy of the upper half.
2nd Cruzeiro Gallery
(Gallery will be updated as new banknotes are databased)
Additional Notes
This note's dimensions are 154 x 74 mm or 6.06 x 2.91 in, larger than a US Dollar.
The preferable method to preserve this note are large sized protective sleeves.
The 2nd Cruzeiro ISO code was BRB, it used Cr$ as its official symbol.
The 2nd Cruzeiro was subdivided into 100 Centavos, all coins were in Cruzeiro values.
The some Centavo coins of the Cruzeiro Novo, circulated alongside the 2nd Cruzeiro.