1 leone 1980
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4 salesAbout This Note
This is a vibrant uncirculated 1 Leone note from Sierra Leone dated 1 July 1980, notable for its commemorative red circular overprint marking the Organisation of African Unity conference held in Freetown that year. The note features President Siaka Stevens in traditional dress on the obverse and the Bank of Sierra Leone building on the reverse, both rendered in sharp, well-preserved fine-line engraving. This commemorative overprint variant represents an important moment in Sierra Leone's post-independence history and remains highly collectible in pristine condition.
Common. While this is a commemorative issue, the eBay price data shows uncirculated examples selling in the $27–$78 range (2015–2022), with catalog values at $15 UNC (2019 estimate). Print runs for Sierra Leone's 1980 denominations were substantial, and the note does not appear in PMG population reports as particularly restricted. The note's availability on secondary markets and moderate pricing indicate it is widely available to collectors, not scarce or rare.
Issued on 1 July 1980 to commemorate the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) conference held in Freetown, this note reflects Sierra Leone's prominent role in pan-African affairs during the late Cold War era. President Siaka Stevens, depicted on the obverse, led Sierra Leone during a period of significant political and economic transition. The Bank of Sierra Leone building shown on the reverse represents the nation's modern financial infrastructure and institutional development during the 1980s.
The obverse depicts President Siaka Stevens wearing a traditional cylindrical cap, positioned at the left side of the note in profile orientation. The background features ornamental scroll and vine patterns in beige, pink, and gold tones, with decorative corner designs displaying the numeral 1. A prominent circular red commemorative seal occupies the right side, inscribed with details of the OAU conference. The reverse showcases the multi-story Bank of Sierra Leone building positioned centrally with geometric latticed architectural details and horizontal window lines rendered in fine engraving. The Sierra Leone coat of arms, featuring a lion and palm trees with the national motto 'UNITY FREEDOM WORK,' appears at the upper right. Both sides employ ornamental hexagonal emblems and corner decorations with the denomination numeral.
Front side: 'BANK OF SIERRA LEONE' (issuing authority); 'promise to pay on demand the sum of' (standard promissory clause); 'ONE LEONE' (denomination); 'GOVERNOR' and 'DEPUTY GOVERNOR' (titles of bank officials); 'DIRECTORS' (board designation); signature of A.S.C. Thinn; serial number 'A 001132'; 'COMMEMORATING THE ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY . FREETOWN . 1980 . 1ST JULY 1980' (commemorative overprint inscription). Back side: 'BANK OF SIERRA LEONE' (issuing authority); 'ONE LEONE' (denomination); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer credit); 'UNITY FREEDOM WORK' (national motto from coat of arms).
Intaglio engraving (fine-line engraving throughout), executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London—the premier security printer for Commonwealth nations. The note displays characteristic TDLR quality with complex background patterns of varying line densities, intricate geometric designs, and sharp portrait rendering. Security features include the red commemorative overprint and fine engraving patterns that create sophisticated anti-counterfeiting characteristics typical of de la Rue's 1980s production standards.
This note is the commemorative overprint variant of the base P-10 issue, identified by the red circular OAU Freetown 1980 overprint on the front. PMG catalogs two variants for Pick number P-10: the standard P-10 and the P-10s (specimen). The observed example is the regular circulation/commemorative issue. Serial number prefix 'A' is consistent with early production runs. The specific variety can be further identified by the presence and position of the red commemorative overprint, which distinguishes it from earlier unoverprinted versions of the 1 Leone.
