Palestine Currency Board 5 Palestinian Pound Banknote, 1944, PMG Choice Very Fine 35 | Historic banknote symbolizing the British Mandate era. Pick #8d | GoldSilverJapan
The 5 Palestinian pound banknote (Pick #8d), issued by the Palestine Currency Board in 1944, is one of the most representative high-denomination banknotes from the British Mandate era of Palestine and is highly valued by banknote collectors and history enthusiasts worldwide. This banknote is part of a series issued during World War II and is a valuable cultural artifact that tells the story of the political, economic, and financial history of the Middle East at that time. The particular banknote presented here has been graded Choice Very Fine 35 (VF35) by the Paper Money Guarantee (PMG), and despite its long history of circulation, it boasts excellent preservation, with the beauty of its main design and printing well-maintained. The Palestinian pound was used as the official currency in British Mandate Palestine and Transjordan from 1927 to 1948, and had a significant impact on the subsequent history of Middle Eastern currency. Because its issuance ceased with the end of the British Mandate in 1948, it is now a highly sought-after historical banknote in the international market due to its short issuance period. The £5 note, in particular, was a high-denomination banknote at the time, and because the number in general circulation was relatively small, the number of surviving notes is limited. GoldSilverJapan carefully selects and introduces historical banknotes from around the world, but this banknote is a particularly attractive collector's item, combining multiple historical themes such as the British Mandate era, Middle Eastern history, the Holy City of Jerusalem, and British colonial history.
The front of the banknote prominently displays the name of the Palestine Currency Board, with the denomination and legal information printed below in English, Arabic, and Hebrew. This trilingual display reflects the social structure of the Mandate territory of Palestine at the time and is a historical feature that is very famous among banknotes worldwide, symbolizing a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. On the left side, the Tower of David, a historical landmark representative of Jerusalem, is depicted in detail. This tower has been known as a symbol of Jerusalem from ancient times to the present day and is familiar to many travelers and historians. In the center, the denomination "FIVE PALESTINE POUNDS," the issuing city of Jerusalem, and the issue date, 1 January 1944, are printed. At the bottom, the signatures of Palestine Currency Board officials are printed, indicating the authenticity of the banknote as an official banknote. On the right side, a large decorative circular pattern is provided, functioning as part of the anti-counterfeiting technology. Furthermore, this banknote features an olive sprig watermark, reflecting the high-quality manufacturing techniques of the prestigious British printing company Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited. The overall design is based on an elegant reddish-brown color scheme, and the intricate guilloché pattern and intaglio printing give the banknote a beautiful artistic quality.
The reverse side features a central depiction of the Tower of David and the city walls, iconic historical landmarks of Jerusalem's Old City. These structures served as the heart of Jerusalem's defense for centuries and remain a significant historical building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the central circular frame, the imposing walls and tower are meticulously rendered, surrounded by multiple layers of intricate guilloché patterns and decorative motifs. The face value is indicated in Arabic and Hebrew on either side, with "FIVE PALESTINE POUNDS" inscribed in English at the bottom center. This symmetrical composition exudes a balanced beauty characteristic of British banknote printing technology and remains highly regarded as a masterpiece among antique banknote designs. The printing company, Thomas de la Rue, has a history of producing banknotes for various countries worldwide since the 19th century, and this series is one of their most representative masterpieces. At the time, holograms and color-shifting inks did not exist, so such extremely complex line engraving and intricate patterns were employed as the highest level of anti-counterfeiting technology. Combining historical architecture with advanced printing technology, this banknote boasts an exceptionally high level of craftsmanship, making it a work of art in itself.
The Palestine Currency Board was established in 1927 and played a crucial role as the currency issuing body for the British Mandate territories of Palestine and Transjordan. The Palestinian pound issued by the board was pegged to the British pound, supporting a stable monetary system in the Middle East at the time. 1944 marked the end of World War II, and the Middle East was a strategically crucial region for the Allied powers. Issued against this historical backdrop, this banknote is not merely a means of payment but also a valuable historical document symbolizing the financial policies under British rule. After the end of the British Mandate in 1948, the Palestinian pound disappeared with the establishment of Israel and the transition to the Jordanian monetary system. As a result, only a limited number of banknotes remain, and many are now held in museums or by specialized collectors. Pick #8d, issued in 1944, in particular, has maintained consistent popularity in recent international auctions due to its short issuance period and low circulation. It is a collector's item in a wide range of fields, including British colonial currency, Middle Eastern currency, and collections related to the Holy City of Jerusalem, and is known as a representative World Bank note that combines historical significance and rarity.
The banknote we are presenting here has received a PMG Choice Very Fine 35 rating. Choice Very Fine 35 is an internationally recognized preservation rating indicating that while the banknote shows natural signs of use and minor creases from actual circulation, the print clarity, paper quality, and main design are well-preserved. PMG is a world-leading banknote authentication organization, evaluating authenticity and preservation using unified standards. Therefore, PMG-certified banknotes enjoy high trust from collectors and investors worldwide. Considering its historical context—issued in 1944—its unique issuance location in British Mandate Palestine, and its rarity as a historical currency that will never be issued again, this banknote is highly attractive not only as a collector's item but also as a historical document. In recent years, interest in Middle Eastern history-related materials has increased, and Palestinian pound banknotes are undergoing a re-evaluation in the global market. Please note that the serial number of each banknote is unique. The number shown in the image is an example and may differ from the banknote you receive.
FAQ
Q. Which country's currency is this?
A. This is a banknote issued by the Palestine Currency Board of the British Mandate territory of Palestine.
Q. What year was it published?
A. It was 1944.
Q. What is the face value?
A. Five Palestine Pounds.
Q. What is the Pick number?
A. Pick #8d.
Q. Which organization issues it?
A. This is the Palestine Currency Board.
Q. What is the PMG grade?
A. Choice Very Fine 35 (VF35).
Q. What is depicted on the surface?
A. It depicts the Tower of David, is written in three languages, shows the face value, the place of issue (Jerusalem), the date of issue, and the signature.
Q. What is depicted on the back?
A. This depicts the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Tower of David.
Q. What is trilingual notation?
A. It is written in three languages: English, Arabic, and Hebrew.
Q. Is there a watermark?
A. Yes. It features an olive branch (olive sprig) design.
Q. Which printing company do you use?
A. Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited, a UK company.
Q. Why is this banknote so popular?
A. Because it combines historical context from the British Mandate era, a short issuance period, a beautiful design, and rarity.
Q. Is it still legal tender?
A. No. The monetary system was changed after the end of the mandate in 1948, and it is no longer legal tender.
Q. Is it a popular investment target?
A. Yes. PMG-certified Palestinian pound banknotes are in high demand in the international market.
Q. Is the serial number the same as the one in the image?
A. It varies from individual to individual. The image shown is for reference only.
Q. What is the greatest appeal of this banknote?
A. Its history from the British Mandate era, its multilingual design, its artistic depiction of the Tower of David, and its high rarity.
Q. What types of banknotes does GoldSilverJapan handle?
A. We offer a carefully selected collection of historical banknotes, rare banknotes, and antique banknotes from around the world, primarily those certified by PMG and PCGS.
This includes Palestine Currency Board 5 Pounds 1944, Pick 8d, Palestine Banknote, British Mandate Palestine, Thomas De La Rue, PMG 35, Jerusalem Banknote, Palestinian banknotes, British Mandate banknotes, Tower of David banknotes, Middle Eastern banknotes, historical banknotes, GoldSilverJapan, etc.
