1 pound 1965
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87 salesAbout This Note
This is a Nigerian 1 Pound note from 1965 (Pick P-8) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, presented in UNC condition. The note features the iconic Central Bank of Nigeria building in Lagos on the obverse in pink and mauve tones with green accents, while the reverse depicts a traditional agricultural scene with a man harvesting dates from a palm tree, reflecting Nigeria's cultural heritage. The note exhibits fine line engraving and guilloché security patterns throughout, with visible serial number B 61 923172 and four signature lines typical of this early issuance.
Common. The eBay price tracking data shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades from 2011 to 2026, with UNC examples regularly selling in the $2.99–$6.50 range (with outliers up to $31 in 2015, likely attributable to grading or lot-specific factors). The 2019 catalogue value for UNC is listed at $8, well within the range of common circulation-issue banknotes. The steady supply of examples in various grades indicates a substantial print run with no scarcity indicators.
This note represents Nigeria's early post-independence currency period, issued just five years after the country gained independence in 1960. The architectural imagery of the Central Bank building symbolized Nigeria's modern financial establishment and economic aspirations during the nascent Federal Republic period. The reverse imagery celebrating traditional date palm harvesting reflects the nation's connection to its agricultural heritage and pre-colonial economic activities, presenting a visual narrative of tradition meeting modernity in the newly independent state.
The obverse features a modernist multi-story building complex representing the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters in Lagos, depicted with contemporary architectural styling and landscaped grounds with tropical vegetation. An ornate circular frame with scalloped decorative borders frames the central design space in pink and green. The reverse presents a detailed engraved scene of traditional agricultural labor, showing a male figure in profile engaged in date palm harvesting from a tropical landscape abundant with palm trees and foliage, rendered in fine line engraving against the pink background. Both sides are framed with decorative scrollwork and security elements in the corners displaying the £1 denomination.
Front side: 'FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA' (header); 'CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA' (issuing authority); 'promise to pay on demand the sum of ONE POUND' (standard currency clause); denomination markers 'ONE POUND' (corners and center); serial number 'B 61 923172'; signature lines marked 'GOVERNOR', 'DIRECTOR', 'DIRECTOR' (four signature spaces). Back side: 'CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA' (issuing authority); 'ONE POUND' (denomination). All inscriptions are in English.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) and letterpress, evidenced by the fine, detailed line work visible throughout both sides, particularly in the landscape scene, architectural rendering, and guilloché security patterns. The crisp definition of the engraved portraits and architectural details, combined with the intricate background patterns, indicates professional security printing typical of early Central Bank of Nigeria note production. The printer is not definitively identified from visual characteristics alone, though this era of Nigerian notes was produced by established British security printers.
This note bears serial number B 61 923172 with four signature lines, consistent with the 1965 issue. The external catalog reference notes that similar later notes (P-12) carry only two signatures, making the four-signature variant a distinguishing feature of this earlier issuance. Serial number prefix 'B 61' falls within the identified range for this issue. No major varieties (overprints, color variations, or significant printing errors) are apparent from the visual analysis of this example.
