1949 Barbados Government 1 Dollar Bill PMG 35 Choice Very Fine Pick #2c British Barbados Portrait of George VI Rare Colonial Banknote | GoldSilverJapan
The 1949 Government of Barbados $1 banknote is a highly sought-after historical banknote from the British colonial era in Caribbean currency collections. This particular banknote, issued during the British Barbados era, features a portrait of King George VI on its obverse. The specific banknote presented here is certified by the Paper Money Guarantee (PMG) as a "PMG 35 Choice Very Fine," registered with PMG certification number 2075579-004 and Pick number 2c. Its serial number is F/A 069033, and it was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. (BWC), a leading British banknote printing company. According to the PMG certification, this banknote features a "Horses" watermark and the comment section indicates "Stains." Issued in 1949 during the post-war reconstruction period, this banknote is an important cultural artifact that tells not only about Barbados' financial history but also about the history of the British colonial currency system. More than 75 years have passed since its issuance, and the high-quality specimens that still exist are highly valued by banknote collectors and British colonial currency collectors around the world. GoldSilverJapan introduces the history of world currency through rare banknotes with such historical backgrounds.
Barbados is an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea and was ruled as a British colony for a long period starting in 1627. During the British colonial era, it operated its own currency system based on the British pound, issuing government notes and banknotes. This one-dollar bill, issued in 1949, is one of the banknotes that symbolizes the British colonial economy after World War II and is an actual historical document that circulated during the era when the international financial system was being restructured after the war. The front of the banknote bears the inscription "Government of Barbados," indicating that it was issued as government-guaranteed currency at the time. The portrait of George VI is placed there as a symbol of the British monarchy and colonial rule, reflecting the political context of the time. George VI reigned as King of Britain from 1936 to 1952 and is known as the monarch who supported Britain during World War II. For this reason, colonial banknotes bearing the portrait of George VI are popular worldwide and are collected along with banknotes issued in many other regions such as Canada, Jamaica, Fiji, Malaya, and East Africa. The 1949 Barbados one-dollar bill is a prime example and holds an important place in the collection of British Caribbean banknotes.
The design of this banknote is composed of extremely intricate engraving techniques, typical of British colonial currency. The left side of the obverse features an allegorical design, with a watermark in the center. On the right side is a portrait of George VI, surrounded by an intricate guilloché pattern. This complex design played an important role as an anti-counterfeiting technique. The words "Government of Barbados" are prominently displayed at the top of the banknote, and the denomination, "One Dollar," is shown in the center. This banknote also features a horse watermark, known as the "Horses Watermark," which has been confirmed by PMG's authentication information. Watermarks were an important security feature used on high-end banknotes of the time, guaranteeing the authenticity of the banknote. The reverse side has a relatively simple design, but features beautiful geometric patterns and the denomination, demonstrating the high level of British banknote printing technology. Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., the printing company responsible for the documents, was a renowned printing firm that produced banknotes and securities for various countries around the world from the 19th to the 20th centuries, and its works are still highly valued by collectors worldwide.
A Grade 35 "Choice Very Fine" rating from PMG indicates that while the banknote shows moderate use, it still retains good paper quality and the clarity of the design. Images show some creases and signs of age-related wear, but the main design and portrait remain clear. PMG has also added a "Stains" comment, indicating age-related stains and discoloration on both the front and back of the banknote. In the global banknote market, certification by third-party appraisal organizations such as PMG and PCGS Banknote is highly valued, offering significant value in both authenticity assurance and condition assessment. This banknote is registered in the PMG database and can be verified through certification number 2075579-004. According to PMG's demographic data, only five PMG 35 graded banknotes of this Pick #2c type are registered, with only 10 higher graded banknotes. This data is a crucial indicator of its rarity in the market and makes it highly attractive to collectors. Banknotes from the British Caribbean, in particular, were issued in small quantities, and well-preserved examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find each year.
In recent years, interest in British colonial banknotes has been growing in the global banknote collecting market. This is due not only to their historical value but also to their limited mintage and the appeal of their unique regional designs. Barbadian banknotes have a very small circulation compared to major markets such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and opportunities to see them in person in Japan are limited. In particular, Barbadian banknotes from the reign of George VI were issued only for a short period after the war, so there is stable demand from collectors. British colonial banknotes are also in demand from British royal family collectors, and banknotes with portraits of George V, George VI, and early Elizabeth II are continuously traded in the international market. In addition to being PMG certified, this banknote has a clearly verifiable serial number, making it likely to maintain its collection value in the future. Banknote collecting is not merely an investment but also an activity of preserving history and culture, and this 1949 Barbadian $1 banknote can be said to be a valuable document that conveys the history of the British Caribbean to the present day. GoldSilverJapan continues to introduce the charm of monetary history through rare and certified banknotes from around the world.
FAQ:
Q. Which country is this banknote from?
A. This is a one-dollar bill issued by the British government of Barbados.
Q. What year was it published?
A. It was published on January 1, 1949.
Q. What is the PMG grade?
A. PMG 35 Choice Very Fine.
Q. What is the Pick number?
A. Pick #2c.
Q. What is the serial number?
A. F/A 069033.
Q. Which printing company do you use?
This is A. Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. (BWC).
Q. Do banknotes have watermarks?
A. Yes, there is a "Horses Watermark".
Q. What were the PMG comments?
A. "Stains"
Q. Who is the person in the portrait?
A. King George VI of Great Britain.
Q. Is it a rare banknote?
A. Yes, according to the PMG demographic statistics, only 5 products with a PMG35 rating are registered.
Q. Are there any higher-grade products available?
A. According to PMG data, there are 10 registered cards with a grade higher than 35.
Q. Are they popular as British colonial currency? A. Yes, they are popular among collectors of British Caribbean currency and British royal family-related items.
Q. Is it still usable?
A. No, these are historical banknotes that are no longer in circulation.
Q. What is the PMG certification number?
A. It's 2075579-004.
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