50 francs 1958

Common. The eBay price history shows consistent sales in the $6–$35 range, with a catalog value of $50 in VF grade (2016 data). The regular issue status, steady market availability indicated by multiple sales across different years and grades, and lack of any documented scarcity information all point to adequate original print runs. This is a foundational series from Guinea's independence, but not a scarce or rare note.

Issued just weeks after Guinea's September 28, 1958 referendum for independence, this banknote represents the young nation's assertion of sovereignty under President Ahmed Sékou Touré. The dual imagery—the nationalist leader and the African tribal mask—symbolized Guinea's embrace of its cultural heritage while establishing itself as a modern independent state. This inaugural currency series is fundamental to Guinea's numismatic history and reflects the optimism and Pan-African ideology of the late 1950s decolonization movement.

The obverse presents a three-quarter profile portrait of President Ahmed Sékou Touré wearing a traditional knitted or textured cap, facing rightward, positioned on the left side of the note. The background is filled with intricate decorative line patterns and fine engraving work typical of classical banknote design. Below the portrait are two signature lines representing the Minister of General Economy and Minister of Finance. The reverse showcases a large, centrally-positioned stylized African tribal mask in a modernist Art Deco interpretation, featuring almond-shaped eyes, prominent ear ornaments, and a distinctive pointed top knot or crown element. Geometric patterns and decorative linework frame the mask, emphasizing Guinea's cultural heritage as a design element.

FRONT: 'Banque de la République de Guinée' (Bank of the Republic of Guinea); '50' and 'Cinquante Francs' (Fifty Francs); 'Le 2 Octobre 1958' (October 2, 1958); 'Ministre de l'Économie Générale' (Minister of General Economy); 'Ministre des Finances' (Minister of Finance); 'Tout Contrefacteur sera Puni par la Loi en Vigueur' (Any counterfeiter will be punished by the law in force); Serial number '0324411' with prefix 'E 53'. BACK: '50' and 'Cinquante Francs' (Fifty Francs); bank name repeated around border.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving), evidenced by the fine, precise linework visible throughout both sides, the intricate background hatching patterns, and the crisp denomination and text renderings characteristic of classical security printing. The note exhibits the hallmark characteristics of high-quality banknote engraving from this era, with no evidence of modern printing methods.

This example is identified as Pick number P-6, the standard 50 Francs issue from October 2, 1958. The serial number prefix 'E 53' and serial '0324411' are consistent with the regular issue series. No known major varieties (such as significant overprints or date variants) are documented for this denomination in the first Guinea emission, though signature varieties may exist corresponding to different ministerial signatories.