1 pound 1980

Common. This note was a regular issue with substantial print runs during the 1980-1989 period. eBay market data shows consistent trading with UNC examples regularly selling in the $5-$18 range over the past 15 years, with occasional outliers reaching $45. The 2019 catalog value of $23 UNC reflects modest collector interest. Print run was significant enough to support ongoing circulation and collector acquisition without scarcity constraints. The availability of multiple examples in various grades confirms this as a standard, non-rare issue.

Issued in 1980 by The States of Guernsey, this note commemorates the Bailiwick's monetary independence and local heritage through its dual imagery of 19th-century historical scenes. The obverse depicts the Market Square as it appeared in 1822, capturing a moment of civic life during Guernsey's commercial development, while the reverse honors Daniel de Lisle Brock (1762-1842), a significant historical figure who served as Bailli of Guernsey, with the Royal Court at St. Peter Port dated 1840 representing the seat of local governance. Together, these elements reflect Guernsey's pride in its institutional history and self-governance during the latter 20th century.

The obverse features a light multicolored design dominated by pastel greens, blues, purples, and creams, with a prominent £1 symbol at the center-top in ornate decorative script. The Bailiwick of Guernsey seal—a circular emblem containing three lions stacked vertically—is positioned at lower left and serves as the watermark. The centerpiece depicts a classical Georgian-style building with multiple arches, representing the Market Square scene of 1822, surrounded by fine guilloche work and decorative floral scrollwork. The reverse displays a three-quarter profile portrait of Daniel de Lisle Brock, Bailli of Guernsey (1762-1842), rendered in detailed engraved lines, positioned on the right side. To the left is an architectural drawing of the Royal Court at St. Peter Port dated 1840, a classical stone structure with multiple windows and central entrance. A large decorative £1 symbol dominates the left side, with heraldic elements and cross/plus symbol watermark patterns distributed throughout the background. Both sides employ consistent fine-line engraving with intricate detail work characteristic of high-security currency design.

Front side: 'THE STATES OF GUERNSEY' (title of issuing authority); 'PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF ONE POUND' (legal tender promise); 'STATES TREASURER' (authorizing official); 'W.L.Bull' (signature of States Treasurer); 'BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATES' (authorization clause); 'BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY' (on central seal); Serial number 'A000187' appears twice (top left and bottom right). Back side: 'THE STATES OF GUERNSEY' (issuer identification); 'ONE POUND' (denomination); 'DANIEL DE LISLE BROCK' (portrait subject name); 'BAILLI OF GUERNSEY' (his historical title); '1762 - 1842' (birth and death years); 'ROYAL COURT' and 'SAFFTER PORT 1840' (architectural landmark identification and date).

Intaglio engraving by De la Rue Company, London (marked as TDLR on the note). The production demonstrates traditional steel-plate engraving with fine line work (guilloche patterns), detailed portraiture, and multi-color offset printing on the underprint layer, combined with intaglio color printing for the primary design elements. The watermark—visible as the Bailiwick seal and cross motifs—was incorporated during paper manufacture. The serial numbers were added through letterpress printing.

Identified as Pick 48a, the standard variety printed by De la Rue London (TDLR). The PMG population report indicates three cataloged variants for this base Pick number: P-48a (standard), P-48a* (starred variety), and P-48b (alternate variety). The serial number observed on this note is A000187 (with leading zero prefix typical of early printing runs). This specific note belongs to the primary P-48a variety. No overprints, commemorative markings, or unusual signatures are evident.