1 dalasi 1972 specimen

Common. The eBay market data shows UNC examples selling in the $36-85 range (2016-2019), which is well within the common range for 20th-century Commonwealth African banknotes. The 1972-1986 production window indicates a substantial print run. Specimen notes are more specialized than circulated examples but do not command significantly premium prices relative to UNC circulated examples, suggesting adequate availability to the collector market.

Issued in 1972 by the newly independent Central Bank of the Gambia, this note commemorates Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, the first president of the Republic of The Gambia. The reverse design prominently features rice cultivation, illustrating the central importance of agriculture to Gambia's post-independence economy. The inclusion of Arabic text alongside English reflects the nation's Muslim-majority population and its position within West African Islamic culture, while the sailing vessel on the obverse evokes Gambia's historical maritime trade along the Gambia River.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara positioned on the right, depicted wearing glasses and traditional West African head covering. The central vignette shows a traditional sailing vessel (likely a Gambian trading dhow) on water with palm trees along the shoreline, symbolizing the nation's maritime heritage. The design employs ornamental guilloche patterns in the corners with decorative geometric scrollwork frames containing the numeral '1'. Denomination text appears in both English and Arabic script. The reverse presents a detailed engraved scene of an agricultural worker bent over rows of growing rice plants, representing the primary economic activity of the Gambian population. Corner decorations mirror the obverse with ornamental '1' numerals in circular frames. The overall color scheme utilizes purple as the dominant tone with multicolor underprinting in green, yellow/gold, and white.

Front Side: 'CENTRAL BANK OF THE GAMBIA' / 'PROMISE TO PAY ON DEMAND THE SUM OF' / 'ONE DALASI' / 'دالاسى' (Arabic: Dalasi) / 'SIR DAWDA KAIRABA JAWARA' / 'FIRST PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA' / 'GENERAL MANAGER' / 'GOVERNOR' / Serial number 'B0000000' (specimen note). Back Side: 'CENTRAL BANK OF THE GAMBIA' / 'ONE DALASI' / Numeral '1' in decorative frames. Both sides feature red 'SPECIMEN' overprint applied diagonally across the face.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving and/or steel plate engraving), evidenced by the crisp, fine-line guilloche patterns, detailed portrait rendering with precise cross-hatching, and the intricate agricultural scene on the reverse. The complex border designs and security line work throughout are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The printer is not definitively identified in the available catalog data, though De La Rue (TDLR) is a likely candidate based on their production of early Central Bank of the Gambia issues during this period.

This note is cataloged as P-4bs under the Pick numbering system, where the 's' suffix explicitly denotes this as a specimen issue. The 'b' designation indicates a specific variety within the 1 Dalasi P-4 base number; PMG records show this Pick number has at least 13 documented varieties (P-4a through P-4g with multiple sub-variants). The watermark is identified as a crocodile's head, consistent with Central Bank of the Gambia security standards. The serial number format 'B0000000' visible on the specimen indicates the standard specimen numbering convention. No signature varieties or significant overprint variations are apparent from the visual analysis beyond the standard 'SPECIMEN' overprint.