1 gourde 1904

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $13.60 to $103.50 range for VG-graded examples, with the 2016 catalogue valuing Fair-grade notes at $40. The regular issue designation, American Bank Note Company production standards, and continuous market availability at modest prices all indicate a common note with substantial surviving examples in the marketplace.

Issued under the Law of February 27, 1904, this note marks Haiti's centennial celebration of independence from France (1804-1904). The depicted military figures, tropical landscape with ships and cannons, and revolutionary imagery reflect Haiti's military heritage and the struggles of the Haitian Revolution. The redemption guarantee tied to taxes created by the Law of August 11, 1903, demonstrates the nation's effort to establish monetary stability in the early 20th century.

The obverse features two military figures in formal uniform dress: on the left, a general wearing a distinctive bicorne hat with feathered plume and decorative epaulettes characteristic of Napoleonic-era military dress; on the right, another officer in formal military uniform. The center vignette depicts a tropical harbor scene representing Haiti's military and maritime heritage, showing palm trees, two sailing ships, military cannons with cannonballs and supplies arranged in orderly fashion. The design incorporates ornate decorative borders with stylized 'L' characters in elaborate frames, geometric and floral patterns, and corner flourishes typical of American Bank Note Company's security printing standards. The reverse displays a harmonious symmetrical design in light blue/teal, dominated by a large ornamental cartouche containing legal text warning against counterfeiting, flanked by elaborate 'L' characters and intricate interlocking geometric and floral patterns. The note is printed in black on the obverse with red serial numbers (example: 162702), and in light blue on the reverse, both on aged tan/beige paper.

FRONT SIDE: 'LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ' (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). 'RÉPUBLIQUE D'HAÏTI' (Republic of Haiti). 'CE BILLET ÉMIS PAR L'ÉTAT D'HAÏTI, EN VERTU DE LA LOI DU 27 FÉVRIER 1904, À COURS LÉGAL DANS LA République POUR LA VALEUR DE' (This note issued by the State of Haiti, by virtue of the law of February 27, 1904, has legal tender in the Republic for the value of). 'ET SON REMBOURSEMENT EST GARANTI PAR LES IMPÔTS CRÉÉS PAR LA LOI DU 11 AOÛT 1903, SUR LE RETRAIT DU PAPIER MONNAIE' (And its redemption is guaranteed by taxes created by the law of August 11, 1903, on the withdrawal of paper money). 'LE MEMBRE DE LA COMMISSION D'ÉMISSION' (The member of the Emissions Commission). 'LE MINISTRE DES FINANCES' (The Minister of Finance). 'LE MEMBRE DE LA CHAMBRE DES COMITÉS' (The member of the Chamber of Committees). 'American BankNote Co. New York' (printer attribution). BACK SIDE: 'CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIÉ LES BILLETS DE CETTE ÉMISSION ET CEUX QUI AURONT FAIT USAGE DE CES BILLETS CONTREFAITS OU FALSIFIÉS SERONT PUNIS CONFORMÉMENT A LA LOI' (Those who shall counterfeit or falsify the notes of this issue and those who shall make use of these counterfeit or falsified notes shall be punished in accordance with the law). 'RÉPUBLIQUE D'HAÏTI' (Republic of Haiti).

Steel engraving by the American Bank Note Company, New York, utilizing multiple color separation and fine engraved security printing. The intricate decorative borders, portrait details, and ornamental elements are characteristic of high-quality security intaglio printing from the early 20th century. The use of multiple color inks (black, red, blue) on a single note required sophisticated printing processes and plate production.

The observed example appears to be from Series A-R with prefix 'NF H' and serial number 162702. PMG catalogues this as P-120a. No overprints, sign variations, or other notable varieties are apparent in this specimen. The series letter designation and serial number prefix placement are consistent with standard 1904 Haitian currency practices.