1 pound 1943

Common. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows consistent availability of this note type in Fair condition, with multiple sales in the $8.50 to $29 range over the past decade. The catalog 2016 valuations list Fair condition at approximately $25-30, and the regular eBay auction results indicate steady supply without significant scarcity premiums. No evidence of limited print runs or recall status exists for Pick P-84e, and the note's standard wartime issuance suggests typical production volumes.

This 1943 One Pound note was issued during World War II when the Union of South Africa was actively engaged in the conflict, reflected in the note's patriotic imagery and formal design. The sailing ship depicted on the obverse represents South Africa's maritime heritage and connection to its colonial past, while the coat of arms featuring springbok supporters and the Latin motto 'EX UNITATE VIRES' (Strength Through Unity) reinforced national identity during wartime. The note's issue during this period makes it a tangible artifact of South African monetary policy under the Reserve Bank's governance during a transformative era in the nation's history.

The obverse features a striking maritime composition dominated by a full-rigged sailing ship with multiple masts positioned on the left, symbolizing South Africa's naval heritage and mercantile tradition. The central background displays a radiant sunburst design element, while the lower right depicts an industrial and harbor waterfront scene with buildings, smokestacks, and landscape elements suggesting mountains or hills. The design employs fine line engraving in black and sepia tones on a cream background, with decorative corner ornaments displaying the numeral 1. The reverse presents the official coat of arms of the Union of South Africa, featuring a shield with heraldic lion imagery, flanked by two springbok antelope as supporters—the national animal—with the Latin national motto 'EX UNITATE VIRES' displayed on a banner beneath. Both sides demonstrate the bilingual English/Afrikaans inscriptions mandated during this period of South African monetary design.

FRONT SIDE: 'SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK' / 'ONE POUND-EEN POND' (English and Afrikaans for One Pound) / 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria, of below op aanvraging te betaald aan toonder te Pretoria' (Promise to pay bearer on demand at Pretoria, in English and Afrikaans) / 'For the South African Reserve Bank, Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank' / 'Pretoria' / '14 April 1943' (date of issue) / 'Governor' and 'President' (signature titles) / Serial number '134 080710'. BACK SIDE: 'ONE POUND' / 'SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK' / 'SUID-AFRIKAANSE RESERWEBANK' (Afrikaans) / 'EEN POND' (Afrikaans for One Pound) / 'EX UNITATE VIRES' (Latin motto meaning 'Strength Through Unity').

This note was produced using intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing technique for Commonwealth banknotes of the 1943 period. The fine line work visible throughout the design, particularly in the maritime imagery, coat of arms details, and decorative borders, is characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The note was printed by the security printer responsible for South African Reserve Bank currency during this era, utilizing the detailed engraved plates that were standard for pound sterling-denominated currency produced by the Union of South Africa.

This note is identified as Pick P-84e, representing one of four cataloged variants (P-84b, P-84c, P-84e, P-84f) for the One Pound denomination from this issuing period. All variants feature the J. van Riebeeck watermark. The specific variety P-84e is distinguished by its placement within the serial number progression and signature combinations typical of 1943 issuance. The observed serial number 134 080710 and date of 14 April 1943 are consistent with standard circulation examples from this printing run. No overprints or special markings indicating rare varieties are present on this specimen.