1 pound 1964
Market Prices
3 salesAbout This Note
This is a Bank of Jamaica £1 note from 1964 issued under the Bank of Jamaica Law 1960, featuring Queen Elizabeth II in profile on the obverse and an agricultural scene depicting sugar cane harvesting machinery on the reverse. The note exhibits VF (Very Fine) condition with visible aging including foxing, staining, and discoloration throughout, along with a handwritten annotation '37' on the front, consistent with a note that has circulated and been stored for over five decades. The green and pink color scheme and fine intaglio engraving are characteristic of Thomas de la Rue's production, making this an interesting example of Jamaica's early post-independence currency design emphasizing agricultural heritage.
Common. The eBay historical sales data shows VF examples selling for approximately $6-35, with recent sales in the $26-39 range for higher grades, indicating steady collector demand but no scarcity premium. The 2019 catalogue valuation of $35 for VF is consistent with common circulated notes of this series. Jamaica's 1964 pound notes were part of regular circulation issue with no indication of limited print runs or recalls.
This note was issued during Jamaica's early period following independence in 1962, under the newly established Bank of Jamaica and its 1960 Law framework. The reverse design prominently features sugar cane harvesting with mechanized equipment, reflecting Jamaica's economic dependence on agricultural production in the 1960s. The obverse portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II indicates Jamaica's continued membership in the Commonwealth during this transitional period of national development.
The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crown, positioned at the left side of the note in the classical numismatic style. The center displays the denomination 'ONE POUND' with an ornamental numeral '1', flanked by the Bank of Jamaica coat of arms featuring heraldic crossed elements below. The design incorporates decorative fan-like patterns along the left and right edges with fine line ornamental background work. The reverse depicts a detailed agricultural scene in green intaglio showing sugar cane harvesting operations: a tractor pulling a heavily laden cart of cane on the left and a wheeled agricultural processor or harvester on the right, with workers operating the equipment. The landscape shows mature sugar cane plants in the field background, symbolizing Jamaica's primary economic industry of the era.
Front side: 'BANK OF JAMAICA' (issuing authority), 'ONE POUND' (denomination in words), '£1' (denomination symbol), 'ISSUED UNDER THE BANK OF JAMAICA LAW 1960' (legal authorization), 'GOVERNOR' (signature title), and serial number 'BY509109' (individual note identifier). Back side: 'BANK OF JAMAICA' (issuing authority), 'ONE POUND' (denomination appearing twice, at bottom left and bottom right), and '£' symbols in the top corners. All text is in English.
Intaglio engraving produced by Thomas de la Rue and Company, London, as evidenced by the fine line work, portrait detail, and security features visible in both the obverse and reverse. The printing demonstrates characteristic TDLR craftsmanship with detailed engraved backgrounds, fine crosshatching in the portrait shading, and precise mechanical imagery. The multicolored appearance results from the standard intaglio printing process with green and pink/salmon colored inks applied in separate passes.
This note is identified as Pick 51Cb, representing one of the £1 variants in the P-51 series. The visual analysis confirms the 'English motto below arms' characteristic (per the catalog differentiation), distinguishing this from the Latin motto variant P-51Cb mentioned in external references. The serial number format 'BY509109' appears to follow the alphanumeric system used for this issue. The note's Law 1960 dating and 1964 issue year align with the catalogued specifications for this Pick variety.
