1 pound 1976
About This Note
This 1976 Government of St. Helena £1 note (Pick P-6) is presented in uncirculated condition with crisp, pristine printing throughout. The front features a striking portrait of Queen Elizabeth II alongside an engraved vignette of St. Helena's iconic rocky coastline with period sailing vessels, while the reverse displays the heraldic arms of St. Helena with a prominent three-masted ship in a decorative cartouche. The note is notable for containing an interesting Latin inscription anomaly—the catalog references an incorrect spelling of 'ANGLIAE' on this 1976 printing, which was later corrected on subsequent issues like the P-9.
Common. The 1976 Saint Helena £1 note (Pick P-6) was a standard-issue circulating banknote produced in quantities consistent with the territory's monetary requirements. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived issuance exists. Notes of this type and period typically trade at modest premiums to face value in the secondary market, with uncirculated examples being readily available to collectors.
This note was issued during a period when Saint Helena, as a British Overseas Territory, maintained its own currency under the Government of St. Helena. The 1976 issue reflects the island's colonial heritage, with the design prominently featuring Queen Elizabeth II and heraldic imagery invoking 'AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIAE' (under the auspices of the King and Senate of England). The depicted sailing vessels and rocky coastal fortifications commemorate St. Helena's historical significance as a strategic Atlantic outpost and reference its maritime heritage and defensive installations.
The obverse (front) features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in profile facing left, positioned on the right side in formal attire with decorative regalia, serving as the primary portrait element. The left side showcases an engraved landscape vignette of St. Helena's characteristic rocky coastal cliffs and fortifications with multiple full-rigged merchant or naval vessels anchored in the waters below, representing the island's maritime and strategic importance. The reverse displays the coat of arms of Saint Helena—featuring two heraldic lions rampant holding flags supporting a shield with heraldic divisions—positioned on the left, while the right side contains a decorative cartouche with an engraved three-masted sailing ship near rocky headlands. The denomination 'ONE POUND' and '£1' symbols appear prominently on both sides, framed by ornamental wreaths, rosettes, and flowing scrollwork throughout.
FRONT: 'Government of St. Helena' — issuing authority; 'Promise to pay bearer in demand the sum of' — standard currency clause; 'ONE POUND' — denomination; 'CURRENCY COMMISSIONERS' — issuing officials; Serial number 'A 046750'. BACK: 'AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIAE' — Latin for 'Under the auspices of the King and the Senate of England'; '£1' — denomination marking.
Steel plate engraving and intaglio printing. The note exhibits fine line engraving with elaborate cross-hatching patterns, stippled shading in background areas, and intricate parallel line work characteristic of high-security currency production. The detailed portraiture and complex vignette work indicate production by a specialized security printer, likely De La Rue or similar Commonwealth currency printer, typical for British Overseas Territory notes of this era.
The specific variety observed is P-6 with serial number prefix 'A' (serial A 046750). The PMG population reports variants P-6a, P-6p, and P-6s, indicating different signature combinations and/or printing characteristics exist for this Pick number. The catalog reference notes this 1976 issue contains an incorrect Latin spelling ('ANGL�' for 'ANGLIAE') that was corrected on the later P-9 issue, making this an identifiable characteristic of the P-6 variety. The exact signatures of the Currency Commissioners visible on this note would further refine variety identification.
