1 dollar 1955

Common. Multiple sales data points on eBay show VF examples selling between $15–$56 USD from 2010–2021, with a 2019 catalog value of $40 VF and $275 UNC. The consistent circulation of this note in the secondary market at modest prices, combined with the note's regular issue status and the lengthy circulation period (1954–1957 as noted in references), indicates a substantial print run. The Eastern Group variant (P-7b) was part of the primary issue and shows no evidence of limited production or rarity.

Issued by the British Caribbean Territory Currency Board on January 3, 1955, this note represents a transitional period in Caribbean monetary history when four disparate British colonies (Barbados, the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, and British Guiana) operated under a unified currency system. The reverse imagery—featuring territorial coats of arms for the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, British Guiana, and Barbados—symbolizes the attempted economic integration of these distant island territories under the British Crown. The watermark of Queen Elizabeth II and the formal design reflect the post-war British Commonwealth's assertion of institutional stability in its remaining colonial possessions.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in left-facing profile within an ornate oval frame positioned on the right portion of the note, accompanied by a tropical foliage vignette on the lower left depicting palm trees and vegetation native to the Caribbean. The reverse employs an allegorical design with classical female figures and a cherub in the center top, flanked by four circular heraldic medallions in the corners: the coat of arms of the Leeward Islands (top left), Windward Islands (top right), British Guiana with a sailing ship emblem (bottom left), and Trinidad & Tobago with mountainous island landscape (bottom right). The design is executed throughout in fine engraved lines with intricate geometric and floral border patterns, dollar signs ($) in all four corners, crown motifs, and elaborate scrollwork characteristic of high-security currency design of the period.

FRONT: 'THE BRITISH CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES' / 'EASTERN GROUP' / 'ONE DOLLAR' / 'FOR THE CURRENCY BOARD' / 'MEMBER CHAIRMAN MEMBER' / '3RD JANUARY 1955' / Serial number 'N2-328236' / 'THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' / 'WATERLOW, WILKINSON & CO LTD, NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND' [Printer attribution]. BACK: 'BARBADOS' / 'ONE DOLLAR' / 'THE BRITISH CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES' / 'WINDWARD ISLANDS' / 'LEEWARD ISLANDS' / 'BRITISH GUIANA' / 'TRINIDAD & TOBAGO' / 'EASTERN GROUP' / '$1' / 'PEDE FAUSTO' (Latin: 'With Favoring Foot') / 'DIEU ET MUSIQUE' (French: 'God and Music') / 'MISCERIQUE PRODAT POPULO ET PUDENDA FUNGI' (Latin motto text).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) produced by Waterlow, Wilkinson & Co Ltd of New Malden, Surrey, England—one of Britain's premier banknote security printers. The visual analysis confirms the use of fine line engraving throughout with multiple layers of decorative background patterns specifically designed to prevent counterfeiting. The sharpness and complexity of the heraldic imagery and the fine detail visible in the portraits and vignettes are consistent with high-quality intaglio process printing from the 1950s.

This is Pick P-7b, the Eastern Group variant of the 1955 British Caribbean Territories one dollar note. The visible date of '3RD JANUARY 1955' and serial number prefix 'N2-328236' are consistent with the cataloged issue. PMG records show nine variants of this base Pick number (P-7a through P-7cts, plus P-7r with BWC printer notation), reflecting different printings and regional distribution. The printer attribution to 'WATERLOW, WILKINSON & CO LTD' confirms this is not the P-7r variant (which may have different printer markings). The Eastern Group designation on the note distinguishes it from other territorial groupings issued under the same currency board.