1 gourde 1979
Market Prices
11 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1979 Haitian 1 Gourde note featuring a striking portrait of President François Duvalier at center, surrounded by ornate floral medallions and rosette patterns in pink, blue, and gray tones. The reverse displays an elaborate circular coat of arms with heraldic elements including a palm tree and architectural motif, exemplifying the fine line engraving work of the American Bank Note Company. This well-preserved example showcases excellent condition with crisp printing and vibrant colors, representing a classic example of late 1970s Haitian monetary design.
Common. While historical market data from realbanknotes.com shows UNC examples selling for $50-76 in recent auctions, the catalog value for UNC condition is only $4 (as of 2019), indicating a plentiful supply in the collector market. The print run was substantial, and the note remains readily available. eBay transaction history demonstrates consistent sales activity without price appreciation, further confirming common status despite the note's historical significance.
Issued during the regime of François Duvalier ("Papa Doc"), who had declared himself President for Life in 1964, this note reflects Haiti's political landscape of the period. The inscription 'DOCTEUR FRANÇOIS DUVALIER PRÉSIDENT À VIE' prominently displayed on the obverse underscores the authoritarian nature of the government. The reverse's national motto 'UNION FAIT LA FORCE' (Union Makes Strength) and heraldic arms represent Haiti's sovereignty and national identity during this turbulent era of Duvalier family rule.
The obverse features a formal portrait of President François Duvalier positioned centrally, depicted wearing glasses and formal attire. The portrait is rendered in fine line engraving with careful attention to detail, characteristic of American Bank Note Company work. The design is framed by ornate borders incorporating fleur-de-lis symbols in the corners and decorative rosette patterns in complementary pink, blue, and gray tones. Serial numbers appear in opposite corners in large numerals. The reverse displays Haiti's national coat of arms in an elaborate circular heraldic design at center, incorporating symbolic elements including a palm tree representing the nation's tropical character and what appears to be a fortified structure or citadel, reflecting historical significance. The entire design is executed in fine line engraving against a light background, with scalloped decorative border frames and corner fleur-de-lis ornaments mirroring the obverse design.
FRONT: 'BANQUE DE LA REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI' (Bank of the Republic of Haiti); 'UNE GOURDE' (One Gourde); 'DOCTEUR FRANCOIS DUVALIER PRÉSIDENT À VIE' (Doctor François Duvalier President for Life); 'CE BILLET, EMIS CONFORMÉMENT À LA CONSTITUTION DE LA REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI, EST PAYABLE AU PORTEUR EN MONNAIE LEGALE DES ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE AU TAUX DE CINQ BOURDES POUR UN DOLLAR' (This note, issued in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Haiti, is payable to bearer in legal currency of the United States of America at the rate of five gourdes per dollar); signature titles 'LE GOUVERNEUR' (The Governor), 'LE GOUVERNEUR ADJOINT' (The Deputy Governor), 'LE DIRECTEUR' (The Director); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company). BACK: 'BANQUE DE LA REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI' (Bank of the Republic of Haiti); 'UNE GOURDE' (One Gourde); 'CE BILLET, EMIS PAR LA BANQUE DE LA REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI EST PAYABLE AU PORTEUR EN MONNAIE LEGALE DES ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE AU TAUX DE CINQ BOURDES POUR UN DOLLAR' (This note, issued by the Bank of the Republic of Haiti, is payable to bearer in legal currency of the United States of America at the rate of five gourdes per dollar); 'UNION FAIT LA FORCE' (Union Makes Strength); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (American Bank Note Company).
Intaglio engraving (fine line engraving) executed by the American Bank Note Company of New York. The note demonstrates the characteristic depth and clarity of traditional intaglio printing, with finely detailed portrait work, ornamental borders, and heraldic elements. Security features noted in the catalog reference include fluorescent planchettes (security fibers) that fluoresce yellow, red, and blue under ultraviolet light, with selective green fluorescence on text elements including 'Président Duvalier' and '1G'. The printer identification on Tyvek material is also visible.
Per PMG population records, this Pick number has two identified variants: P-230Aa and P-230As, indicating prefix variations (with or without a prefix letter as noted in the realbanknotes.com catalog). The observed serial number E042736 suggests a prefixed variant. No overprints or dates other than the law date of 17.08.1979 are evident in the visual analysis. The note was officially issued in 1980 according to realbanknotes.com, though dated to the 1979 law.
