5 pounds 1976
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1976 Saint Helena 5 Pounds note (Pick P-7b) featuring a striking portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the territorial coat of arms with a maritime sailing ship vignette on the reverse. The note displays exceptional preservation in its original state, with crisp blue and teal coloration, complex fine-line engraving, and pristine paper quality characteristic of the 1976 Government of St. Helena currency issue. The serial number H044989 and three-signature format are consistent with the P-7b variant of this relatively early Commonwealth island currency.
Common. The 1976 Saint Helena 5 Pounds issue was a standard circulation note with substantial print runs by the Government of Saint Helena. While Saint Helena notes have modest collector interest due to the island's remote location and small population, the P-7b variant in this series is not documented as scarce or rare. The Pick catalog lists eight variants (P-7a through P-7bs), indicating multiple printings and signature combinations, which further supports common status for individual varieties. Current market evidence shows similar Saint Helena Commonwealth notes trading at modest values reflective of common-grade currency rather than rare collectibles.
This 1976 issue represents Saint Helena's currency during a period when the remote South Atlantic island maintained strong ties to the British Crown, as evidenced by the prominent portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the heraldic coat of arms bearing the Latin motto 'Auspicio Regis et Senatus Angliae' (Under the auspices of the King and Senate of England). The design elements—including the dramatic coastal cliffs and three-masted sailing vessel—reflect the island's maritime heritage and strategic importance as a waypoint for naval and commercial shipping in the Atlantic. The Government of St. Helena issued this denomination through its Currency Commissioners during a transitional period in Commonwealth monetary policy.
The obverse features a formal right-facing profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in the classical numismatic style, positioned on the right side of the note. The upper left showcases a detailed landscape vignette of Saint Helena's distinctive volcanic cliffs and coastal settlement buildings, rendered with fine engraving to capture the island's dramatic topography. The reverse displays the Saint Helena coat of arms—featuring two lions as supporters flanking a shield with a cross design and central coat of arms emblem—positioned prominently on the left, with an ornamental banner below bearing the Latin heraldic motto. The right side of the reverse features a carefully engraved maritime vignette depicting a three-masted sailing ship in calm Atlantic waters, referencing the island's nautical significance. Both sides employ large ornamental numeral denominations in decorative cartouches, with elaborate scrollwork, guilloche patterns, and ornamental foliate designs serving as background security elements.
Front side: 'Government of St. Helena' (issuing authority); 'Promise to pay bearer on demand the sum of' (promise clause); 'FIVE POUNDS' (denomination in words); 'CURRENCY COMMISSIONERS' (authorized issuing body); Serial number 'H 044989' (note identifier); '£5' (denomination symbol). Back side: 'AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIAE' translates to 'Under the auspices of the King and Senate of England' (heraldic motto); '£5' (denomination confirmation).
Intaglio (recess) engraving, the traditional method for high-security banknote production. The complex fine-line cross-hatching patterns, detailed guilloche work, and precise heraldic rendering visible throughout the design are characteristic of intaglio printing. Saint Helena notes of this era were typically produced by established Commonwealth security printers; while the specific printer is not definitively identified in available catalogs, British currency security printers such as De La Rue or Bradbury Wilkinson were standard for this period and region.
This note is cataloged as Pick P-7b, identified by the specific three-signature configuration on the Government of Saint Helena currency issue. The Pick catalog notes that later related issues (Pick P-11) feature four signatures, making the three-signature P-7b and its variants (P-7a, P-7ap, P-7as, P-7br, P-7bs, P-7pp1, P-7s) distinctly earlier. The serial number H044989 is consistent with standard notation for this issue. No specimen overprints, remainders, or other special markings are visible on this example. PMG has documented P-7br as the 'Remainder' variety; this uncirculated P-7b appears to be a standard issue note rather than a remainder or special variant.
