1 dollar 1961
Market Prices
58 salesAbout This Note
This is an exceptional Uncirculated example of the 1961 British Caribbean Territories 1 Dollar note (Pick P-7c), featuring a striking red/pink and cream color scheme with a profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the right and a detailed tropical maritime scene on the left. The note displays pristine condition with sharp, clean printing throughout and no visible wear, creases, or handling marks. This Eastern Group variant is historically significant as it represents the currency board's first issue and features the coat of arms of all member territories (Barbados, Windward Islands, British Guiana, and Trinidad & Tobago) on the reverse.
Common. While this is the early 1961 issue in excellent condition, eBay market data shows regular sales volume with UNC examples trading in the $100-275 range historically (2009-2012 saw prices of $108-241), but recent market activity shows much lower prices ($20-75 range for F-VF grades, $74-133 for AUNC-UNC specimens from 2020 onwards). The consistent availability of multiple condition grades across a 15+ year sales history indicates this was a substantial print run. The Eastern Group currency board note series was not recalled or short-lived, and the P-7c variety appears regularly in the market, supporting a 'common' classification despite its historical interest.
Issued on 2nd January 1961 by the British Caribbean Territory Currency Board, this note commemorates the transition period of Caribbean decolonization and territorial currency management in the early 1960s. The reverse displays the coat of arms of the four constituent territories—Barbados, Windward Islands, British Guiana, and Trinidad & Tobago—reflecting the political structure of the Eastern Group currency union during this pivotal post-colonial era. Queen Elizabeth II's portrait affirms the territories' Commonwealth status during a period of growing independence movements across the Caribbean.
The obverse features a formal profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II within an ornate circular medallion frame positioned on the right side, rendered in fine engraved detail typical of mid-20th century British Commonwealth currency design. The left side showcases an elaborate tropical maritime landscape with palm vegetation and water elements, serving as both decorative and anti-counterfeiting elements. The reverse presents a heraldic display with the coat of arms of each constituent territory positioned symmetrically: Barbados and Windward Islands in the upper positions, British Guiana (featuring a sailing ship emblem) and Trinidad & Tobago in the lower positions, with a classical maritime figure (likely Neptune) in an ornamental cartouche at the top center. The entire design is framed by intricate ornamental borders with repeating geometric patterns and fine linework, characteristic of security printing from this era.
FRONT SIDE: 'THE BRITISH CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES / EASTERN GROUP' (issuing authority), 'ONE DOLLAR' (denomination), 'FOR THE CURRENCY BOARD' (authorization statement), 'MEMBER CHAIRMAN MEMBER' (signature authority designations), '2nd JANUARY 1961' (issue date), 'X3- 365555' (serial number), 'THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' (legal tender declaration), '$1' (denomination symbol). BACK SIDE: 'ONE DOLLAR' (denomination), 'BARBADOS' / 'WINDWARD ISLANDS' / 'BRITISH GUIANA' / 'TRINIDAD & TOBAGO' / 'BRITISH CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES / EASTERN GROUP' (territorial identifications), Latin mottos appear to include heraldic device inscriptions relating to regional coats of arms (precise translation of Latin phrases obscured in imagery but relate to sovereignty and succession themes traditional to Caribbean colonial heraldry), '$1' (denomination symbol).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving/steel engraving) on high-security currency paper. The printer is identified as BWC (British West Indies Currency Board printing facility or affiliated security printer). The fine detailed linework, intricate background patterns, and sharp portrait rendering visible in the UNC condition indicate professional security printing with multiple engraved plates (separate obverse and reverse plates), with precise registration and high-quality paper stock typical of official currency board issues of this period.
This note is identified as Pick P-7c, representing the standard Eastern Group variety with printer BWC. The PMG population report indicates nine cataloged variants for base Pick P-7, including P-7a, P-7acts, P-7b, P-7bs, P-7c, P-7cs, P-7cts, P-7r, and P-7s, suggesting variations by regional distribution (Eastern Group variants: a, acts, b, bs, c, cs, cts, s; separate printer variant: r). The observed serial number prefix 'X3-365555' may indicate a specific printing batch or regional distribution series. The date of 2nd January 1961 is the official issue date for this series.
