3 dollars 1968 specimen
Market Prices
5 salesAbout This Note
This is a stunning UNC specimen example of the 1968 Bahamas Monetary Authority $3 note, featuring a striking portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in profile on the obverse and a vibrant Paradise Beach scene on the reverse. The note displays the characteristic red SPECIMEN overprint diagonally across both sides, crisp printing throughout, and excellent preservation with no visible wear or aging—typical of specimen notes that were never circulated. The multicolored design combines classical engraving with tropical imagery, making it a desirable collectible that has consistently sold in the $87-$105 range on the secondary market.
Common. While specimen notes command a premium over their circulated counterparts, this particular issue has appeared regularly on the secondary market. eBay transaction history shows consistent availability with UNC examples selling between $87-$105 during 2016-2022, and a 2019 catalog valuation of $120 UNC. The multiple sales with substantial bidding activity (22-50 bids per sale) indicates healthy collector demand but adequate supply. This is not a scarce date, denomination, or variety. Specimen notes from major printers like de La Rue for Commonwealth nations from the 1960s are generally well-represented in collections.
Issued in 1968 following the Bahamas Monetary Authority Act, this note represents the post-independence monetary sovereignty of the Bahamas (which gained independence in 1973, though monetary reforms began earlier). The obverse features Elizabeth II as the reigning Commonwealth monarch, while the reverse celebrates the Bahamas' natural heritage through the iconic Paradise Beach landscape complete with palm trees, colonial architecture, and tropical vessels—imagery reflecting the nation's identity as an emerging tourist and financial center during this era.
The obverse features a classical left-facing profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, rendered in fine engraving style with intricate detail to her facial features and jewelry (earrings visible). The design is framed by ornamental pink/red borders with rosette corner designs and dollar sign symbols. Signatures of Chairman Stella Hammond and Manager T. Russell Donaldson appear in their designated areas. The reverse depicts Paradise Beach as a scenic landscape vignette showing a tropical coastline with sandy beach, multiple palm trees, calm waters with sailboats, and colonial-era buildings in the background—conveying the Bahamas' appeal as a paradise destination. Yellow tropical flowers (likely hibiscus) are illustrated on the left side. The Bahamas coat of arms appears in the upper right, featuring a shield with a red upper section bearing a crown and a lower section with a ship design, surrounded by a decorative wreath. Both sides employ multicolored printing with dominant reds, pinks, blues, greens, yellows, and creams.
FRONT SIDE: 'BAHAMAS MONETARY AUTHORITY' (issuing authority); 'ESTABLISHED BY THE BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT 1966' (foundational date); 'THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER UNDER THE BAHAMAS MONETARY AUTHORITY ACT 1968 FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' (legal tender declaration); 'THREE DOLLARS' (denomination); 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation); '$3' (denomination symbol); 'Chairman' and 'Manager' (signature titles for Stella Hammond and T. Russell Donaldson respectively); Serial number 'B000000'. BACK SIDE: 'BAHAMAS MONETARY AUTHORITY' (issuing authority); 'THREE DOLLARS' (denomination); 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation); '$3' (denomination symbol); 'PARADISE BEACH' (landmark identification).
Intaglio (recess) engraving combined with multicolor letterpress/offset lithography. The printer is Thomas de La Rue of London (TDLR), the renowned British security printer. Evidence of the technique includes: intricate fine-line patterns and guilloche designs throughout the borders and background; multiple layers of fine line work creating depth; precise color separation evident in the complex tropical landscape; and the sharp, crisp quality of both portraiture and architectural details. The specimen overprint was applied as a separate security measure in red ink.
This is the P-28s variety (specimen note), as indicated by the SPECIMEN overprint and the catalog designation. The PMG population report confirms two variants exist for the base Pick number P-28: P-28a and P-28s. This specimen example displays the standard red SPECIMEN diagonal overprint and carries serial number prefix 'B' with zeros (B000000), consistent with specimen note practices of the era. The signatures are those of Stella Hammond (Chairman) and T. Russell Donaldson (Manager), representing the official issuing authority representatives at the time of this note's preparation.
