1 dollar 1970
Market Prices
28 salesAbout This Note
This is an exceptionally well-preserved British Honduras One Dollar note from 1970, graded UNC (Uncirculated), featuring the iconic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the national coat of arms on the reverse. The note exhibits pristine condition with no visible wear, creases, or stains, and displays the characteristic green and multicolored design with ornate decorative borders and fine security engraving typical of this issue. This Pick-28c variant represents a desirable example of early post-independence British Honduras currency, with market data showing UNC examples consistently commanding $100-200+ in recent years.
Common. While this is a desirable note in UNC condition, the denomination (1 Dollar) and relatively recent issue date (1970) indicate a substantial print run. The eBay price history provided shows consistent market activity with UNC examples regularly selling in the $100-200 range, indicating healthy supply. The numerous price points spanning 2009-2025 demonstrate ongoing availability in the collector market. Notes of this age, denomination, and condition typically appear in moderate frequency in collections and on the secondary market. The P-28c variety is one of at least eight cataloged variants for this Pick number, further supporting a common classification.
Issued on 1st June 1970 by the Government of British Honduras (soon to be renamed Belize in 1973), this note represents a pivotal moment in the nation's monetary history as it transitioned toward independence. The coat of arms depicted on the obverse—featuring two workers flanking a shield with maritime imagery—symbolized the nation's identity built on labor and its Caribbean maritime heritage. The inclusion of Queen Elizabeth II's portrait reflects British Honduras' continued Commonwealth status during this period, while the issuing authority ('Commissioners of Currency') underscores the nation's establishment of autonomous monetary control.
The obverse features a sophisticated bi-lateral design with the coat of arms of British Honduras positioned in a circular seal on the left, depicting two figures (representing workers or mariners) flanking a central shield with maritime symbolism. On the right side is a formal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II shown in profile facing left, housed within an ornate oval decorative frame. The entire note is framed by intricate geometric and floral border patterns in green and brown/tan tones. The reverse presents a symmetrical design without a central portrait, instead featuring elaborate ornamental cartouches and elaborate filigree patterns throughout, maintaining the green and tan color scheme. Both sides showcase fine line engraving and detailed security patterns consistent with American Bank Note Company (or similar security printer) production standards of the era.
FRONT SIDE: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH HONDURAS' (top); 'THESE NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT' (legal notice); 'ONE DOLLAR' (denomination, appears twice); 'For the GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH HONDURAS' (issuing authority); 'BELIZE, 1ST JUNE, 1970' (location and issue date); 'COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY' (issuing body); Serial number 'G 0735579' (appears twice, printed in red/orange); Official signatures (present but not legible in image). REVERSE SIDE: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH HONDURAS' (centered, arranged vertically as 'THE GOVERNMENT / OF / BRITISH HONDURAS').
Intaglio engraving (recess printing), executed by a security printer with expertise in high-security banknote production. The fine line work, intricate geometric patterns, and detailed filigree visible throughout both sides are characteristic of professional intaglio banknote production. The crisp, precise rendering of the portrait, coat of arms, and decorative elements, combined with the multi-color printing capability evident in the green, brown/tan, and red/orange serial numbers, indicates production by an established security printer, likely Bradbury Wilkinson & Company (BWC) or similar firm, as indicated by the P-28c Pick catalog designation.
This note is identified as Pick-28c, indicating it is one of several varieties within the P-28 group for the British Honduras 1 Dollar 1970 issue. The PMG population report indicates that P-28c was printed by BWC (Bradbury Wilkinson & Company). Other variants in this series include P-28a, P-28b, P-28bs, P-28cs, P-28cts (all BWC), P-28r (Remainder), and P-28s (BWC), suggesting variations in printing facility, overprints, or specimen designations. The serial number format 'G 0735579' (with letter prefix followed by numerical sequence) is consistent with the documented issue date range of 1.6.1970-1.1.1973. No special overprints, specimen markings, or cancellation holes are visible in this example, indicating a standard circulation issue rather than a specimen or remainder note.
