1 dollar 1970
Market Prices
19 salesAbout This Note
This is a Bank of Jamaica One Dollar note from 1970 (Pick P-54) in uncirculated condition, featuring a portrait of Sir Alexander Bustamante on the obverse and a scenic tropical harbor scene on the reverse. The note exhibits exceptional preservation with sharp, vibrant printing in purple, green, pink, and blue, characteristic of Thomas de la Rue's high-quality banknote production. The vivid floral decorative elements and fine engraving work are crisp and unblemished, making this an attractive example of early post-independence Jamaican currency.
Common. This is a regular-issue note with no indication of small print runs or recall. The eBay price history shows UNC examples selling in the $8-13.50 range as of 2016-2019, with more recent sales in the $1-3 range, consistent with common banknotes. Catalog values list UNC at $8, a modest sum indicating ready availability. No population rarity data suggests scarcity.
Issued under the Bank of Jamaica Law of 1960, this note represents Jamaica's currency in the first decade following independence (1962). The selection of Sir Alexander Bustamante—Jamaica's first Prime Minister and a national independence hero—on the obverse reflects the nation's pride in its founding leadership. The tropical harbor scene on the reverse symbolizes Jamaica's maritime heritage and economic importance of its coastal resources and trade.
The obverse features a formal three-quarter portrait of Sir Alexander Bustamante positioned at left, rendered in fine engraving detail wearing formal business attire (dark suit and tie). The center displays the denomination 'ONE DOLLAR' surrounded by decorative floral motifs in blue and white (morning glories or similar climbing flowers) with green foliage, providing a classical banknote aesthetic. The Jamaican coat of arms—featuring a shield with the national motto 'OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE'—is positioned in the lower center-right portion. Pink and red flowering plants frame the right side. The reverse depicts an idealized tropical coastal landscape with multiple small islands, calm blue waters, sailing vessels, beached boats, palm trees, and rocky outcrops, framed by decorative floral borders in pink (left) and purple (right). Denomination markings appear in all four corners of both sides.
Front side: 'BANK OF JAMAICA' (issuing authority), 'ONE DOLLAR' (denomination), '$1' (denomination symbol), 'SIR ALEXANDER BUSTAMANTE' (portrait identification), 'ISSUED UNDER THE BANK OF JAMAICA LAW 1960' (legal authorization), 'GOVERNOR' (signatory title), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer attribution), 'OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE' (national motto). Back side: 'BANK OF JAMAICA' (issuing authority), 'ONE DOLLAR' and '$1' (denomination repeated). The serial number visible is Y195819.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) combined with multicolor offset lithography, as evidenced by the fine line patterns, sharp portrait rendering, and complex color layering visible throughout. The note was produced by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited in London, one of the world's premier security printers of the period. The watermark (pineapple, according to catalog data) and fine engraving patterns provide anti-counterfeiting measures typical of professional banknote production.
The visual analysis identifies this as the 'shaded values' variant mentioned in the banknote.ws reference, where the denomination values are printed in shaded form (as opposed to the all-white values seen in Jamaica P-59). The serial number Y195819 is specific to this individual note. Thomas de la Rue as printer (TDLR) is confirmed. No significant signature varieties or overprints are evident from the visual analysis provided.
