1 dhilling 1943

Common. While these notes are historically significant as wartime emergency currency, the 1943 Guernsey 1 shilling and threepence was issued in substantial quantities to serve circulating currency needs during occupation. eBay market data shows VF specimens trading in the $180-240 USD range, consistent with common wartime emergency issues. The 2016 catalog valuation of $110 in F grade and $250 in EF grade further supports common status. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or extreme scarcity exists for P-29. The abundance of market listings across multiple condition grades indicates regular collector availability.

Issued on 1 January 1943 during Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II, this note represents Guernsey's wartime monetary emergency. The formal promise-to-pay language and Treasurer's authority inscription reflect the States' effort to maintain monetary legitimacy under extraordinary circumstances. The heraldic coat of arms featured on the reverse symbolizes Guernsey's sovereign authority during a period when normal currency supply chains were disrupted.

The obverse features a formal, finely engraved design with a complex geometric border in black ink surrounding a yellow-gold field. The red overprint stripe running diagonally across the face serves both as a security feature and design element. Octagonal frames at left and right display the denomination '13' in classical numismatic style. The reverse displays Guernsey's heraldic coat of arms—a quartered shield with lion rampant and associated heraldic elements—positioned within an ornamental quatrefoil frame, flanked by circular decorative medallions. The background throughout employs fine-line repeating patterns characteristic of high-security banknote engraving, providing anti-counterfeiting protection through fine detail work that would be difficult to reproduce.

FRONT: '1st January, 1943' (date of issue); 'STATES OF GUERNSEY' (issuing authority); 'Promise to pay the Bearer on Demand' (standard currency clause); 'ONE SHILLING AND THREEPENCE' (denomination in words); 'By Authority of the States' (authorization statement); 'TREASURER' (authorized officer title); Serial numbers 'NO N 1491' and 'N°N1490' (sequential identification). BACK: '13' (numerical denomination representing 1 shilling 3 pence).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) combined with letterpress overprinting. The fine-line background patterns, detailed border ornaments, and heraldic emblem were produced through traditional steel-plate engraving. The red diagonal stripe appears to be applied through a separate overprint pass, likely using raised-type letterpress or offset technology. This multi-stage process was standard for institutional note production in the 1940s. The printer is not identified in catalog data, but Guernsey's wartime notes were typically produced by British security printers or locally under wartime constraints.

The PMG population report indicates one catalogued variant for Pick-29. Serial numbers observed in this specimen (N 1491 and N 1490) are consistent with the standard issue sequence. The 'N' prefix denotes Guernsey-specific numbering. No major varieties (different signatures, date variations, or significant overprint differences) have been documented for P-29 in standard references. The red overprint stripe intensity varies slightly across known examples due to aging and overprint application inconsistency, but this is characteristic aging rather than a distinct variety.