1 pound 1959
About This Note
This is a crisp, well-preserved 1959 one pound note from the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, graded VF, featuring an elegant portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and a striking landscape with rocky outcrops on the reverse. The note displays excellent printing quality with vibrant green coloration, fine line engraving details, and ornate decorative elements throughout, indicating it has been carefully preserved with minimal handling or aging.
Common. The Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland issued this denomination in substantial quantities during 1959-1960 before the Federation was dissolved in 1963. VF condition examples regularly appear in numismatic markets and collector channels at modest valuations, typically in the $15-40 range depending on serial number prefix and exact condition. No specific print run restrictions, early withdrawal dates, or collector premiums are associated with this Pick number that would elevate it beyond common circulation status.
Issued on 23rd April 1959, this banknote represents the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland during the late colonial period of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963). The inclusion of Queen Elizabeth II's portrait reflects the territory's Commonwealth status, while the landscape featuring distinctive rocky geological formations represents the natural heritage of the region. The note was printed by the prestigious British security printer Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, underscoring the institutional confidence in the Federation's monetary system during this transitional era.
The obverse features a formal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II positioned in an oval frame on the right side, symbolizing the Commonwealth connection. The center displays an ornate heraldic emblem with decorative medallions and flourishes in gold and pink tones against a green background. The left side incorporates a partial image of a leopard, representing the region's iconic wildlife. The reverse depicts a naturalistic landscape featuring prominent rocky outcrops or kopjes characteristic of Southern African geology, surrounded by vegetation and trees, rendered in fine detail through engraving. Ornamental corner pieces with £1 denomination symbols frame all four corners of the note. The overall design employs classical colonial-era banknote aesthetic with symmetrical layouts and elaborate borders.
FRONT SIDE: 'Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland' (bank name); 'One Pound' (denomination); 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand' (currency promise clause); 'to the State of Rhodesia and Nyasaland' (issuing authority); 'Governor' (signatory title); 'Salisbury' (place of issue); '23rd April, 1959' (issue date); 'X 30 969236' (serial number); '£1' (denomination symbol). REVERSE SIDE: 'Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland' (bank name); 'One Pound' (denomination); 'Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd' (printer name); 'New Malden, Surrey, England' (printer location).
Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, one of the world's premier security printers. The visual analysis shows characteristic fine line work, intricate layering in the landscape imagery, ornamental patterns, and detailed shading that are hallmarks of intaglio printing. Security features include a watermark visible as a light circular region, decorative borders with fine line work, and complex engraved patterns throughout the design.
Pick-21a designation indicates this is a standard variety of the 1959 one pound note. The observed serial number prefix 'X 30' is consistent with normal production runs. The specific date '23rd April, 1959' indicates this note belongs to the initial issue series. No overprints, signature variations, or other notable varieties are apparent from the visual analysis. Collectors should note the printer attribution (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, New Malden) as the sole printing source for this issue.
