1 pound 1973

Common. The eBay price history provided demonstrates consistent market activity with notes in VF condition selling for $10-$30 and the 2019 catalog value for UNC listed at $60. These price points and the frequency of sales indicate this is a commonly available issue. No evidence of limited print runs, recall status, or scarcity is documented. The availability of multiple cataloged varieties (P-31a through P-31f) and regular appearance in the collector market further supports a common designation despite its numismatic and historical significance to Maltese collectors.

Issued under the 1967 Central Bank of Malta Act, this note commemorates the nation's early years as an independent state (independence declared 1964). The reverse imagery—featuring the Prehistoric Temple of Tarxien, among the world's oldest free-standing structures (circa 3600-2500 BCE), and the historic capital city of Mdina—reflects Malta's pride in its ancient heritage and medieval architecture. The coat of arms on the obverse, bearing the Latin motto 'FIDUCIA FORTIS' (Strong Trust) dated 1968, symbolizes the nation's confidence during the establishment of its own central banking authority.

The obverse (front) displays a striking green-dominant design with a central map of the Maltese archipelago, flanked by the national coat of arms on the right featuring heraldic supporters and a shield inscribed with 'FIDUCIA FORTIS' and the date 1968. The note employs dual-language text reflecting Malta's Maltese-English bilingual official status. The reverse (back) presents an exceptional engraved composition in green and multicolor with two of Malta's most culturally significant landmarks: on the left, a finely detailed engraving of the Prehistoric Temple of Tarxien with its characteristic megalithic stone construction and interior architectural features; in the center-right, a beautifully colorized illustration of the Mdina Cathedral, the iconic baroque cathedral of the former capital, rendered in golden tones and depicted on its elevated rocky terrain. Circular numeral denominations in decorative medallions appear at the four corners, and ornamental serpentine borders frame the design. The overall composition demonstrates the sophisticated engraving and printing standards of De la Rue, London.

FRONT: 'Bank Ċentrali ta'Malta' (Maltese: Central Bank of Malta); 'Din il-karta tal-flus hija valuta legali ghal' (Maltese: This note is legal tender for); 'LIRA' (currency denomination); 'f'Malta u mahruga bl-awtorita ta l-Att ta l-1967 tal-Bank Centrali ta'Malta' (Maltese: In Malta and issued under the authority of the 1967 Act of the Central Bank of Malta); 'FIDUCIA FORTIS 1968' (Latin: Strong Trust, year 1968); Serial number 'A/20 398559'. BACK: 'CENTRAL BANK OF MALTA' (English); 'PREHISTORIC TEMPLE' (English, identifying the Tarxien Temple structure); 'MDINA' (English, city name); 'ONE POUND' (English, denomination); Serial number repeated.

This note was produced using multi-color intaglio/engraving technique by De la Rue, London (indicated by 'TDLR' printer mark), the world's premier security printer of the era. The process employed multiple color separations with fine line work and detailed architectural engraving visible in both the heraldic arms and the reverse landscape illustrations. Security features include complex ornamental background patterns, intricate geometric border designs, fine line work throughout, and a watermark featuring an allegorical head of Malta. The sharp print quality and precision of detail observable throughout the note are characteristic of De la Rue's high-security banknote production standards.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-31b, one of six documented varieties for the base P-31 designation. The variant designation 'b' is distinguished within the PMG population reports alongside varieties P-31a, P-31d, P-31e, P-31f, and P-31s. Replacement notes can be identified by serial number prefixes of X/1, Y/1, or Z/1 depending on denomination. The observed serial number 'A/20 398559' does not indicate a replacement note variant. The specific variety differentiation relates to printer details and issue characteristics documented in the Pick catalog, though all variants share the De la Rue (TDLR) printing origin.