1 escudo 1941

Common. The Mozambique 1 Escudo from 1941 (Pick P-81) is a widely available note in the numismatic market. eBay sales data provided shows consistent trading in the $5-$20 range for F and VF grades over more than a decade, with numerous examples crossing the auction block regularly. The 2016 catalog valuation places VF examples at $17.50, consistent with recent market activity. This denomination and issue represent standard circulation currency of the colonial period with no indicators of limited print runs or special rarity factors.

Issued on September 1, 1941, during the Estado Novo period of Portuguese colonial administration, this note reflects Mozambique's status as a Portuguese overseas province (Província de Moçambique). The Banco Nacional Ultramarino, Portugal's primary colonial financial institution, issued this currency under Decree No. 17,154, with the note payable at dependencies throughout the province. The imagery emphasizes Portuguese sovereignty and maritime commerce, central themes in the colonial Portuguese economy.

The obverse features a bearded male portrait in profile facing left within an ornate circular medallion, identified as Francisco de Oliveira Chamico, a prominent colonial administrator. To the right appears a sailing vessel with multiple masts within a matching circular frame, symbolizing Portuguese maritime commerce and naval power in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese coat of arms with shield and wreath is positioned at the bottom center. The reverse displays a larger bearded male profile facing right in an elaborate circular medallion frame with inscribed text around the circumference, surrounded by ornamental corner designs featuring floral and geometric patterns. The color palette of green, yellow, beige, pink, and black employs fine engraved line work throughout, with decorative corner cartouches typical of early 20th-century European banknote design.

FRONT SIDE: 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (National Overseas Bank) / 'DECRETO Nº17.154' (Decree No. 17,154) / 'PROVINCIA DE MOÇAMBIQUE' (Province of Mozambique) / 'UM ESCUDO' (One Escudo) / 'PAGAVEL NAS DEPENDENCIAS DA PROVINCIA DE MOÇAMBIQUE' (Payable at the Dependencies of the Province of Mozambique) / 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator) / 'LISBOA 1 de Setembro de 1941' (Lisbon, September 1, 1941) / 'O PRESIDENTE DO CONSELHO ADMINISTRATIVO' (The President of the Administrative Council) / 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & Co LTD GRAVADORES LONDRES' (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd Engravers London) / Serial number: 'B071.572'. BACK SIDE: 'PAGAVEL NAS DEPENDENCIAS DA PROVINCIA DE MOÇAMBIQUE' (Payable at the Dependencies of the Province of Mozambique) / 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (inscribed in circular medallion frame).

Intaglio engraving combined with multi-color lithographic printing. The note was engraved and printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, a renowned London security printer, as indicated in the credit line. The intricate decorative borders, fine line work in the portraits, and security patterns characteristic of BWC's work are evident throughout. Multiple color applications were employed in the printing process to create the green, beige, red, yellow, pink, and black elements visible on both sides.

The PMG population report indicates two cataloged variants for this base Pick number: P-81 and P-81s (specimen note). This example appears to be the standard circulation P-81 issue. The realbanknotes.com reference notes 'signature varieties' and 'different signature titles' within the 1941 issue similar to Pick numbers 66-69, suggesting that signature variations exist among 1941 printings, likely related to administrative personnel changes. The serial number prefix 'B' and specific signature titles should be documented for precise variety identification, though such distinctions are not typically major market factors for this common issue.