Saint Lucia 1965 Eastern Caribbean Monetary Authority $20 banknote, PMG 65 EPQ Pick #15l, with overprinted "L", rare uncirculated grade banknote | GoldSilverJapan
In Eastern Caribbean banknote collecting, the 20-dollar banknotes issued by the East Caribbean Currency Authority are particularly popular and rare. Among them, the 1965 20-dollar banknote with an overprint for St. Lucia, which we are introducing here, is a special piece highly valued by Caribbean banknote collectors and British Commonwealth banknote collectors. This banknote is registered with PMG certification number 2085913-016 and has received a very high rating of PMG 65 EPQ (Gem Uncirculated Exceptional Paper Quality). The PMG label reads "East Caribbean States / St. Lucia," "Pick #15l," "ND (1965)," "20 Dollars," and "Ovpt. “L” in Circle," and the serial number is A23 132003. The printing company is the world-renowned Thomas De La Rue (TDLR), and the watermark is Queen Elizabeth II. Furthermore, the PMG has given it a special comment of "Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ)," acknowledging its exceptionally well-preserved paper quality. Among Eastern Caribbean Monetary Authority banknotes, the $20 note is a high-denomination note with a limited mintage, and even fewer remain in uncirculated condition. Therefore, this banknote is considered an important piece in the world banknote collection, possessing historical value, artistic value, and rarity.
The East Caribbean Currency Authority was an organization established to operate a common currency system for several islands in the eastern Caribbean. A common currency was used in areas such as Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent, and Saint Lucia. This banknote is a type of that common currency, but it is issued as a variation with an overprint for a specific region. The circular "L" mark on the left side of the banknote is an overprint indicating Saint Lucia, and different identification symbols were used for each member region. Such overprinted banknotes are issued in smaller quantities than regular banknotes and are highly sought after in the collector market today. In 1965, the Eastern Caribbean region was under the influence of the British Commonwealth, and British systems remained strongly present in its financial and administrative structures. Therefore, the banknote design strongly reflects its connection to the British royal family, with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II being a key motif. The banknotes from this era are historical documents that show the process of development that led to the later Eastern Caribbean Central Bank banknotes, and are indispensable when discussing Caribbean financial history.
The design on the front of the banknote features a portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II. This portrait was a representative design used on many British Commonwealth banknotes from the 1950s to the 1960s and remains highly popular among banknote collectors worldwide. Queen Elizabeth II's elegant profile symbolizes the dignity and stability of the royal family and represents the historical relationship between the Eastern Caribbean region and Britain. The denomination "TWENTY DOLLARS" is prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by an intricate guilloché pattern and complex security printing techniques. A map of the Eastern Caribbean islands is depicted on the left, with an overprinted "L" representing Saint Lucia. This overprint is one of the banknote's most distinctive features and sets it apart from a standard $20 note. The serial number A23 132003 is also clearly visible, confirming its excellent condition, befitting its high rating of PMG 65 EPQ. Furthermore, Queen Elizabeth II is featured as a watermark, demonstrating the use of advanced anti-counterfeiting technology. Thomas De La Rue, the printing company responsible for the banknotes, is one of the oldest banknote printing companies in the world, and its exceptional skills are still highly regarded today.
The reverse side depicts a beautiful tropical landscape symbolizing the Eastern Caribbean region. The rich nature, coastline, palm trees, calm sea, and the unique Caribbean scenery are expressed with delicate engraving techniques. This design is not merely a landscape painting, but also symbolizes the importance of tourism and natural resources, which were the economic foundation of the Eastern Caribbean countries. The names of the member regions are placed in the decorative area on the right side of the banknote, showing the solidarity of the Eastern Caribbean community. Although banknotes of this classic engraving style are rarely seen today, many banknotes from the 1960s have designs so elaborate that they can be called works of art. This banknote is one of the prime examples and is valued not only by banknote collectors but also by people interested in art and design. In particular, the $20 note, a high-denomination banknote, was a currency of great value to ordinary citizens at the time, and therefore, examples in good condition are extremely rare. This PMG 65 EPQ example remains in extremely good condition in terms of paper quality and print quality, and can be said to be a top-class collector's piece within this series.
A PMG rating of 65 EPQ (Gem Uncirculated Exceptional Paper Quality) is a highly valued grade in the global banknote market. A score of 65 places it in the perfect uncirculated class, indicating virtually no wear from circulation. Furthermore, the EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) designation means that the banknote's original paper quality and originality have been preserved in excellent condition. PMG-certified banknotes are highly reliable in the international market, and because they offer authenticity guarantees and objective assessments of their condition, many collectors and investors prioritize them in their collections. Overprint banknotes from the Eastern Caribbean, in particular, have limited issuance numbers, and the market supply of high-grade examples is extremely small. The Saint Lucia "L" overprint $20 banknote has long been popular among Caribbean banknote collectors and has recently gained even more attention due to the growing interest in British Commonwealth banknotes. The depiction of a young Queen Elizabeth II also boosts demand in the international market, and stable collection demand is expected in the future.
In recent years, the global banknote market has seen a rapid increase in the appreciation of classic banknotes from the Elizabeth II era and rare banknotes from the British Commonwealth. Overprinted banknotes and regionally issued banknotes, in particular, are highly sought after by collectors due to their limited supply. This particular banknote combines the history of the Eastern Caribbean monetary system, the regional characteristics of Saint Lucia, the portrait of Elizabeth II, the printing techniques of Thomas de la Rue, and its high grade of PMG 65 EPQ, making it an attractive piece that fits many collecting themes. It holds an important position in a wide range of collecting fields, including British Commonwealth banknote collections, Caribbean banknote collections, Elizabeth II banknote collections, and PMG high-grade banknote collections. GoldSilverJapan introduces rare banknotes from around the world with such historical and artistic value, and this banknote is a superb item that we recommend as an excellent collectible in the global banknote market.
FAQ
Q. Which country's currency is this banknote from?
A. This is a $20 banknote issued by the East Caribbean Currency Authority for use in Saint Lucia.
Q. What is the Pick number?
A. Pick #15l.
Q. What year was it published?
A. PMG registers it as ND (1965 type).
Q. What is the face value?
A. It's a $20 bill.
Q. What is the PMG certification number?
A. It's 2085913-016.
Q. What is the PMG grade?
A. PMG 65 EPQ (Gem Uncirculated Exceptional Paper Quality).
Q. What is the serial number?
A. A23 132003.
Q. What does "overprint L" mean?
A. This is an identification overprint indicating issuance to Saint Lucia.
Q. Who is the person in the portrait?
A. Queen Elizabeth II.
Q. Which printing company do you use?
A. Thomas De La Rue (TDLR).
Q. What is EPQ?
A. This stands for Exceptional Paper Quality, indicating that the original paper quality has been preserved in exceptionally good condition.
Q. Why is this banknote so popular?
A. The reasons for its popularity are its overprint for Saint Lucia, portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, high-denomination $20 note, high valuation as PMG 65 EPQ, and its rarity in existence.
Q. Is it attracting attention as an investment target?
A. Due to the increasing international demand for British Commonwealth banknotes and Caribbean banknotes, they are attracting attention from many collectors and investors.
Q. What is depicted on the back?
A. It depicts the beautiful coastal scenery, palm trees, and natural landscapes that are symbolic of the Eastern Caribbean region.
Q. Is it still usable?
A. Currently, these banknotes are traded as historical currency for the collector market.
"East Caribbean States St. Lucia 20 Dollars Pick 15l", "PMG 65 EPQ", "PMG 2085913-016", "St. Lucia Overprint L in Circle", "East Caribbean Currency Authority Note", "Queen Elizabeth II Banknote", "Thomas De La Rue Banknote", "Rare Caribbean Banknote", "British Commonwealth Banknotes", "Gem Uncirculated Banknote", "St. Lucia 20 Dollar Banknote", "East Caribbean Currency Authority Banknote", "PMG65EPQ", "Queen Elizabeth II Banknote", "British Commonwealth Banknote", "Caribbean Banknote", "Rare Banknote", "Uncirculated Banknote", "World Banknote Collection", "GoldSilverJapan"
