5 Pesos with 'DECRETO-LEY' on Obverse

The "Decreto-Ley" overprint designation on this note reflects a specific legislative moment: Argentina's military government, which took power in March 1976, ruled by decree-law rather than through congress, and currency legislation followed accordingly. Notes bearing this reference were issued under Law 20,695, which reframed the Banco Central's operating authority. The phrase appearing on the face was not decorative — it carried legal weight, identifying the statutory basis under which the note was valid tender.

Casa de Moneda production figures for this series were relatively modest, and the issue span bridged the Perón government's final period and the junta's first year — two very different political regimes sharing the same paper.