1 dinar 1971 specimen

Common. While specimen notes are generally less common than circulation issues, the 1971 1 Dinar specimen (P-35s) remains widely available to collectors. Market data from realbanknotes.com indicates AUNC examples sold for approximately $164.50 (2023) and UNC examples for $178.50 (2018), with catalog value around $500 for UNC. These moderate market prices and consistent availability suggest robust supply relative to collector demand. The note was produced in substantial quantity for institutional distribution and has remained accessible to the numismatic market.

Issued in 1971 following Libya's 1969 revolution that established the Libyan Arab Republic, this banknote commemorates the nation's architectural and cultural heritage through its depicted landmarks. The Gurji mosque minaret and gateway visible on the obverse represent Islamic architectural traditions in Tripoli, while the Sabha fortress on the reverse reflects the country's historical fortifications and strategic significance in North Africa. The specimen designation and bilingual Arabic-English text reflect Libya's positioning as a newly reformed nation asserting its identity and modernizing its currency systems under the Central Bank of Libya.

The obverse features a portrait of a man (likely a national figure or historical personage, though not specifically identified in available catalog data) in the center-right, overlaid with the red specimen overprint. The left side showcases the Gurji mosque in Tripoli, prominently displaying its minaret and characteristic arched gateway with a bridge structure visible in the architectural scene. The reverse presents the Sabha fortress (also known as Sbiba), a hilltop fortified structure overlooking a coastal settlement below, rendered in fine engraving detail. Both sides employ ornate Islamic geometric patterns forming decorative borders, with star-shaped badge designs and ornamental cartouches in all four corners. The dominant color palette of blue, teal, red, and beige reflects the aesthetic conventions of early 1970s Central Bank of Libya currency design.

Front side: 'مصرف ليبيا المركزي' (Central Bank of Libya) at top center; 'دينار' (Dinar) as denomination marking; Serial number '609000' visible on note; Arabic numeral denomination marking '١٤٫٠٠٠٫٠' (denomination notation). Back side: 'Central Bank of Libya' in English at top; 'One Dinar' in English at bottom; 'SPECIMEN' in English printed diagonally in red overprint across the entire reverse.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) on security paper with multicolor printing. The intricate line-work patterns, complex geometric border designs, and fine detail visible throughout both sides are characteristic of intaglio production. The red specimen overprint was applied as a secondary printing operation to distinguish this as a specimen note rather than currency for general circulation. The printer for this issue has not been definitively identified in the provided references, though European security printers were commonly contracted by the Central Bank of Libya during this period.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-35s, the specimen variant of the 1971 1 Dinar issue. The PMG population report indicates four identified variants for this base Pick number: P-35b (standard circulation note with arms watermark), P-35cts (likely a technical variant), P-35p (possibly a proof variant), and P-35s (the specimen variant observed here). The 's' designation specifically identifies this as a specimen note, indicated by the red 'SPECIMEN' overprint visible across both sides. The serial number format and Arabic numerals visible on the obverse are consistent with standard Central Bank of Libya production practices from this period.