1 rupee 1951
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a 1951 Seychelles 1 Rupee note (Pick P-7c) in VF condition, featuring a striking portrait of King George VI in formal military dress within an ornate oval frame. The note displays the characteristic red/pink and gray color scheme with fine geometric decorative borders typical of Thomas de la Rue's mid-century work. The visible vertical center fold, foxing, and age-related discoloration are consistent with an authentic circulated example from this era, with the blank verso being standard for this issue.
Common. This is a regular issue note from a straightforward 1951 printing by a major government security printer (Thomas de la Rue). The catalog reference shows continuous issuance from 1943-1951, and eBay market data indicates typical prices for UNC examples ranging from $3.90 to $9.95 USD, with VF catalog value at $300. Despite the catalog valuation, the actual market pricing and circulation history suggest this is a commonly encountered note in the secondary market.
This note was issued on January 6, 1951, during the reign of King George VI, reflecting Seychelles' status as a British colonial possession at the time. The signature of Noel Lutes as 'Officer Administering the Government' indicates the colonial administrative structure during this period. The portrait of George VI in military dress underscores the British Commonwealth connection and the formal governmental authority behind the currency.
The obverse features a formal three-quarter profile portrait of King George VI positioned in an ornate oval frame on the left side of the note. He is depicted in full military regalia with visible collar insignia, rendered in red/pink intaglio printing against a cream background. The right side contains the denomination and issuing authority text arranged vertically. The entire design is surrounded by elaborate geometric border patterns featuring repeating diamond and cross motifs in gray, with decorative corner ornaments marked with the letter 'R'. Serial numbers appear in the top right and bottom left corners. The reverse is blank, making this a uniface note.
FRONT: '1R' and 'ONE RUPEE' (denomination); 'ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT of SEYCHELLES' (issuing authority); 'These Notes are Legal tender for the payment of any amount' (legal tender declaration); 'B 2264472' (serial number, appears twice); 'OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT' (signature title); '6th January 1951' (issue date); 'Noel Lutes' (officer's signature). BACK: No inscriptions present (blank/uniface design).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), executed by Thomas de la Rue, London. The fine line engraving patterns throughout the decorative borders, the detailed portrait rendering, and the ornate geometric patterns all evidence the security printer's signature intaglio technique, which would have made the note difficult to counterfeit using period reproduction methods.
This specific example is identified as Pick P-7c (the third variety of the 1 Rupee 1951 issue). The dated issue of January 6, 1951, with the signature of Noel Lutes and serial number B 2264472 represent this particular printing variety. The note exhibits the standard gray and red color scheme typical of the P-7 series, with variations noted in catalog references as relating to signature and date combinations.
