1 dalasi 1972

Common. This note represents a regular circulation issue from a 15-year production window (1972-1986), and the Pick P-4b variant appears in no references as a limited or recalled issue. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows VF specimens selling for $2.55 to $5.50 in recent eBay transactions, with catalogue valuations of $52 (VF) to $105 (UNC), positioning it as an affordable, readily available collector item from early Gambian monetary history. The existence of at least 13 documented P-4 variants further indicates substantial print runs across multiple iterations.

Issued during Gambia's early years as an independent nation (1972-1986), this note commemorates President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who led the country to independence and served as its first head of state. The reverse's depiction of rice field workers reflects Gambia's agrarian economy and importance of agriculture to the nation's identity, while the sailing dhow on the obverse evokes the country's maritime heritage and historical role in West African trade and commerce.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter portrait of President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara positioned at the right, depicted wearing glasses and traditional head covering. At the left is an engraved illustration of a traditional West African sailing vessel (dhow) on water with palm trees along a shoreline, representing the nation's maritime and coastal heritage. The center contains an ornamental geometric design in blue and tan with elaborate decorative corner medallions bearing the numeral '1'. The reverse depicts a compelling agrarian scene showing workers engaged in rice cultivation in flooded paddies, with one figure prominently bending in the foreground and another visible in the background, emphasizing Gambia's agricultural foundation. The entire composition employs fine line engraving with multicolor printing (purple, blue, tan, and black predominating).

FRONT SIDE: 'CENTRAL BANK OF THE GAMBIA' (English) / 'PROMISE TO PAY ON DEMAND THE SUM OF' (English) / 'ONE DALASI' (English) / 'دالسی یک' (Arabic/Urdu script, translates to 'One Dalasi') / 'SIR DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA' (English) / 'FIRST PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA' (English) / 'GOVERNOR' and 'GENERAL MANAGER' (English, signature designation lines) / Serial number: H122019. BACK SIDE: 'CENTRAL BANK OF THE GAMBIA' (English) / 'ONE DALASI' (English).

Intaglio engraving (copperplate printing) with multicolor offset printing on the underprint. The fine line engraving details of the portrait, dhow illustration, and agricultural scene, combined with the intricate border patterns and security decorative elements, are characteristic of 1970s-era British-influenced security printing standards. The specific printer for P-4b is not definitively documented in available references, though Gambian notes of this period were typically produced by established security printers such as De La Rue or similar Commonwealth printers.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-4b, representing one of at least 13 documented varieties of the 1 Dalasi denomination from this issuance. The PMG population data indicates variants designated P-4a through P-4g and sub-variants (with 's', 'r', '*' suffixes) exist, though distinguishing characteristics between these variants (such as differences in signatures, serial number prefixes, or subtle design elements) are not fully detailed in available references. The observed serial number H122019 with two-letter prefix is consistent with this series. Without additional documentation on what differentiates P-4b from P-4a or P-4c, the variety classification rests on Pick catalog designation.