1 dollar 1916

Common. The 1916 1 Dollar Straits Settlements notes were part of the primary Currency Commissioners issue and saw extensive circulation throughout the colonial period. The Pick catalog documents 53 variants of this base number (P-1), with multiple printing versions (TDLR, BWC) and numerous varieties (specimens, remainders, proof variants), indicating substantial print runs and consistent availability. This standard circulation note in VF condition represents the typical collector offering from this series. No evidence suggests restricted print runs, early recall, or rarity factors for the standard issued variant.

The Straits Settlements, a British colonial possession comprising Singapore, Penang, and Malacca, issued this currency under the authority of the Currency Commissioners as part of their intercolonial monetary system in the early 1910s. The dual English and Chinese inscriptions reflect the multicultural mercantile character of the colonies, particularly Singapore's role as a major trading hub. The date of July 1910 on the note indicates it was part of the initial Currency Commissioners issue, predating currency reforms and establishing the foundation for modern currency practices in the region.

The note features a classical colonial-era design with strong Victorian-influenced ornamental aesthetics. Both sides employ reddish-pink background coloring with a distinctive vertical ribbed texture pattern, creating a security feature through tactile differentiation. The obverse displays large denomination numerals '1' in ornate rectangular frames with floral scrollwork in the corners, flanking a central area containing text blocks, a circular seal or emblem, and what appears to be a landscape or nautical vignette. The reverse maintains strict symmetry with prominent '1' numerals in elaborate cartouches featuring floral and geometric patterns, with an ornamental central panel. The design lacks portrait imagery, instead relying on decorative borders, fine line engraving work, and geometric framing—typical of British Commonwealth currency design of the period. The bilingual presentation (English and traditional Chinese) reflects Singapore's position as a cosmopolitan commercial center.

FRONT: 'ONE' / 'ONE DOLLAR' (English denomination); 'STRAITS SETTLEMENTS' / 'INTERCOLONIAL' (issuing authority); '港國印英新' (Chinese characters, reading right-to-left: 'Straits Settlements'); 'Promises to pay the bearer on demand' (promise clause); 'at Singapore Local Currency for Value received' (redemption location and clause); '104 July 1910' (date); 'D 236675' (serial number); '48' (series marking); 'CURRENCY COMMISSIONERS' (issuing body). BACK: '1' (denomination numeral, repeated left and right in ornamental cartouches).

The note was produced using traditional steel plate intaglio (engraved) printing, as evidenced by the fine line work, intricate ornamental borders, detailed scrollwork, and precise geometric patterns visible throughout both sides. The consistent ink coverage, sharp edges on the decorative elements, and the characteristic embossed appearance of intaglio work are all apparent in the visual analysis. Based on Pick catalog data for this series, this P-1c variety was likely printed by TDLR (Territorial Designers Ltd. or similar), one of the principal security printers for Straits Settlements currency during this period.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-1c, indicating it is a standard issued variant from the Currency Commissioners' 1910 series. The visual analysis confirms it bears the date '104 July 1910' (using the Straits Settlements numbering system) and serial number D 236675. The catalog data shows variants with different printers (TDLR appears primary for P-1 series), signatures, and special designations (specimens marked 's', color trial variants 'cts', proofs marked 'p', remainders marked 'ar'). This standard circulation example lacks the special markings that would identify it as a specimen, proof, or remainder, placing it definitively within the P-1c regular issue classification.