1 pound 1959

Common. The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited issued substantial quantities of this Pick-11 denomination across its territories during 1959. While the note has historical significance as part of Southwest African currency, no evidence suggests an unusually limited print run or early recall. The specimen grade (VF) is typical for this issue, and examples regularly appear in the market without commanding significant premiums. Notes from this series are generally accessible to collectors of South African and Namibian currency.

Issued on June 15, 1959, this note represents the currency of Southwest Africa during the final years of the South African mandate period, before the territory's path to independence as Namibia. The depicted landscapes—the Windhoek waterfall and the iconic African savanna with antelope and acacia trees—reflect the natural resources and wildlife that defined the region's identity and economic importance to the Standard Bank, which served as the primary financial institution across South African territories.

The note features a sophisticated two-sided design centered on Southwest African geography and wildlife. The obverse showcases the Windhoek waterfall, a prominent natural landmark rendered in the right-side landscape vignette with cascading water and mountainous terrain. The reverse displays a representative African savanna scene with antelope (likely springbok or impala) grazing beneath an acacia tree with mountains in the background and water in the foreground, symbolizing the region's natural wealth. Both sides are framed by an ornate scalloped border in coral and salmon red tones. The denomination '1' appears in large ornamental shield designs positioned on the left and right margins. The green circular ornament with red interior frame serves as the central compositional element on the front, housing denomination text. Bilingual inscriptions in English and Afrikaans appear throughout, reflecting the official languages of the South African administration. Two signature lines are visible on the front, though specific signatories are not clearly legible in the image.

FRONT SIDE: 'THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED' (English) / 'DIE STANDARD BANK VAN SUID AFRIKA BEPERK' (Afrikaans); 'PROMISES TO PAY BEARER ON DEMAND' (English) / 'BELOOF OPAANVRAAG TE BETAAL AAN TOONDER' (Afrikaans); 'AT WINDHOEK'; 'ONE POUND' (English) / 'EEN POND' (Afrikaans); 'THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY DEPOSITS WITH THE GOVERNMENT' (English) / 'HIERDIE NOOT IS GEDEK DEUR DEPOSITOS BY DIE REGERING' (Afrikaans); Date: '15TH JUNE 1959'; Serial Number: 'No SW 1159211/5'; Printer: 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDON'. BACK SIDE: 'THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED' (English) / 'DIE STANDARD BANK VAN SUID AFRIKA BEPERK' (Afrikaans); 'ONE POUND' (English) / 'EEN POND' (Afrikaans); Printer: 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDON'.

This note was produced using intaglio (copperplate) engraving by Waterlow & Sons Limited of London, a world-renowned security printer of the era. The intricate red crosshatch/mesh pattern visible throughout the note serves as an anti-counterfeiting measure, characteristic of Waterlow's sophisticated printing techniques. The crisp definition of the decorative border, the fine linework in the vignettes, and the detailed rendering of the landscape scenes all indicate high-quality intaglio printing, which produces the distinctive raised texture and exceptional detail clarity visible even in the photographic analysis.

This specimen is dated 15th June 1959 with serial number SW 1159211/5, indicating the 'SW' (Southwest Africa) prefix typical for notes circulated in the territory. The serial format and prefix variety may represent a distinct printing run or branch issue allocation. Collectors should note that signature varieties exist on this Pick number, though the specific signatories on this specimen are not clearly legible from the image. The printer attribution 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDON' confirms the London printing, which was standard for this series.