1 dollar 1976

Common. This is a regular-issue banknote from a major Caribbean nation with substantial print runs in 1976. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows consistent eBay sales activity across multiple condition grades, with UNC examples cataloging at $6.50 as of 2019. The availability of numerous graded examples in circulation records and the modest price points (even the highest-grade PMG 65 sold for $12.50) confirm this is a readily available note to collectors. No print run restrictions, recalls, or short-lived issuing circumstances apply to this Pick number.

Issued under the Bank of Jamaica Law of 1960, this 1976 banknote commemorates Sir Alexander Bustamante, Jamaica's first Prime Minister and a central figure in the nation's independence movement. The reverse design depicting a tropical harbor scene reflects Jamaica's geographic identity and economic importance as a Caribbean trading nation during the post-colonial era. The national motto 'Out of Many, One People' inscribed on the note encapsulates Jamaica's multicultural identity and nation-building aspirations in the mid-1970s.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter portrait of Sir Alexander Bustamante, Jamaica's founding Prime Minister, positioned at the left side in formal business attire (suit and tie). The Jamaican coat of arms—featuring a shield with crossed items and supporting figures—is prominently placed at bottom center-right. Decorative floral motifs in blue and white with green foliage frame the central design area, while denomination markers ($1) appear in all four corners. The reverse presents an engraved landscape scene of a tropical coastal harbor with multiple islands, ocean, palm trees, and beach vegetation, bordered by decorative floral elements in pink/coral tones on the left and purple botanical motifs on the right, with denomination markers repeating in all corners.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANK OF JAMAICA' (issuing institution); '$1' and 'ONE DOLLAR' (denomination in numerical and word form); 'SIR ALEXANDER BUSTAMANTE' (portrait identification); 'ISSUED UNDER THE BANK OF JAMAICA LAW 1960' (legal authority); 'GOVERNOR' (signature designation); 'OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE' (national motto); serial number 'EG820649' (unique identifier). BACK SIDE: 'BANK OF JAMAICA' (issuing institution); '$1' and 'ONE DOLLAR' (denomination markers). All inscriptions are in English.

This note was produced by Thomas de la Rue (TDLR), London, utilizing high-security intaglio engraving techniques characteristic of their banknote production. The security features include fine-line engraved patterns, detailed guilloche borders, precise color registration across multiple plates, and skillful tonal gradation in the portrait and landscape designs. The watermark features a pineapple motif, adding an additional layer of authentication specific to Jamaican currency of this period.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-59b, with the catalog reference indicating a variant designation from P-59a. The external reference notes that P-59b represents 'all values in white' as a distinguishing characteristic compared to the P-54 series which displays '2 shaded / 2 white' values. The visual analysis confirms denomination markers in white in all four corners. The serial number observed (EG820649) indicates the letter prefix 'EG' typical of 1976 Bank of Jamaica issues. No overprints or special commemorative markings are evident in this specimen.