1 escudo 1944

Common. This is a regular-issue 1944 banknote from a colonial territory with significant print runs. The eBay price data shows consistent sales in the $3–$32 range depending on condition, with UNC examples commanding approximately $30–$35. The PMG population report indicates limited professional grading activity, which is typical for colonial-era low-denomination notes rather than indicative of rarity. The denomination, issuer, and date place this squarely within standard philatelic/numismatic circulation.

This 1 escudo note was issued on May 23, 1944, during the Estado Novo period of Portuguese colonial rule in Mozambique. The inclusion of 'Colonia Portuguesa' and the Portuguese coat of arms underscores Mozambique's status as a Portuguese colony at this time. The prominent depiction of António Ennes, a significant figure in Portuguese colonial history, and the steamship vignette reflect Portugal's maritime and colonial heritage during this era of empire.

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of António Ennes, a Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator, rendered in fine engraving and positioned at the left margin. A circular vignette depicting a steamship under sail appears at the right, symbolizing Portugal's maritime and commercial dominance. The note employs black and green inks on a cream background with intricate geometric hatching and decorative borders throughout. The reverse displays an ornate Portuguese coat of arms—featuring the distinctive shield and heraldic symbols of Portugal—centered within a circular medallion at the top, surrounded by baroque-style scrollwork and interlacing patterns in green, red, orange, and blue. The denomination 'UM ESCUDO' appears prominently in decorative lettering in the lower center, framed by elaborate ornamental elements.

FRONT: '1$00' (1 escudo denomination); 'BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO' (Ultramarino National Bank); 'DECRETO Nº 17154' (Decree No. 17154); 'MOCAMBIQUE' (Mozambique); 'COLONIA PORTUGUESA' (Portuguese Colony); 'UM ESCUDO' (One Escudo); 'LISBOA, 23 de Maio de 1944' (Lisbon, May 23, 1944); 'O PRESIDENTE DO CONSELHO ADMINISTRATIVO' (The President of the Administrative Council); 'O ADMINISTRADOR' (The Administrator); 'ANTONIO ENNES' (António Ennes); 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD GRAVADORES, LONDRES' (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd Engravers, London); Serial number: 'I.2,664.430'. BACK: 'UM ESCUDO' (One Escudo) in ornamental lettering.

Engraved by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, London, using steel plate intaglio printing (line engraving). The note exhibits the characteristic fine line work, cross-hatching, and intricate geometric patterns typical of high-security banknote production by this respected security printer. Multiple color printing using offset or rotogravure techniques applied the green, red, orange, and blue elements on the reverse, layered over the primary engraved black design.

This specific example is Pick-92s (the base Pick variety for this denomination and date). The serial number 'I.2,664.430' and the May 23, 1944 issue date confirm the standard emission. No overprints, color variants, or signature varieties are apparent from the visual analysis. This represents the typical issued variety; no major known varieties have been documented for this Pick number in standard catalogs.