The study of Latin American currency provides a unique lens through which to view the economic and political evolution of the region. We are looking at the Costa Rica 5 Colones note of 1937-1938, cataloged in the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money as Pick 198a. This banknote is not merely a medium of exchange; it is a transitional artifact that bridges two distinct eras of Costa Rican banking history: the period of the Banco Internacional de Costa Rica and the subsequent establishment of the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica.

This report focuses on a specific, high-grade specimen of this issue: a 5 Colones note graded PMG 65 EPQ (Gem Uncirculated), identified as a "Top Pop" (Top Population) rarity. The existence of such a pristine example is a statistical anomaly given the tropical climate of Costa Rica and the heavy circulation these low-denomination notes typically endured. The note is characterized by its provisional nature—a revalidation of an earlier issue via a typographic overprint—and its striking obverse vignette, familiarly known to collectors as the "Banana Train."

The visual narrative of the note, depicting the loading of bananas onto a railway car, encapsulates the "Green Gold" era of Costa Rica, dominated by the United Fruit Company and the Atlantic Railroad. This report will dissect the historical context, technical specifications, security features, and market dynamics surrounding this numismatic treasure, providing a definitive reference for the advanced collector.