1/2 gulden 1940

Common. This note exhibits modest secondary market value ($7.50-$40 depending on condition grade per 2016 catalog data, with recent eBay sales in the $11-$17.50 range for circulated examples) consistent with a standard issue from a longer-dated emission period (1940-1942). The presence of multiple Pick varieties (P-104c and P-104s2) and circulation use patterns suggest substantial original print runs with no evidence of rarity or scarcity.

Issued on October 30, 1940, during the German occupation of the Netherlands, this Zilverbon (silver bond) was emergency currency authorized by the Surinamese colonial administration. The note's legal tender status declaration and redemption promise in silver reflect the economic uncertainty of the World War II period, when Suriname sought to maintain monetary stability despite isolation from metropolitan government.

The obverse features a profile portrait of a classical female figure facing left, rendered in red ink against the tan/cream background—this represents Athena as noted in catalog references, embodying the note's classical aesthetic and association with wisdom and governance. The reverse displays an ornate allegorical vignette centered on cherubic or angelic figures surrounded by elaborate floral and scrollwork in the neoclassical style characteristic of American Bank Note Company productions. The design employs decorative geometric borders in red/pink on both sides, with all text rendered in Dutch reflecting Suriname's colonial administrative language. Serial number 15309 appears on the front, indicating this is from Series II of the emission.

FRONT SIDE: 'SERIE II' (Series II) | 'No. 15309' (Serial number) | 'SURINAME' | '50 Cta ZILVERBON 50 Cta' (50 Cents Silver Bond) | 'GROOT EEN HALVE GULDEN' (Great One Half Guilder) | 'WORDT TER BETALING AANGENOMEN DOOR DE SURINAAMSCHE BANK EN AAN ALLE LANDSKASSEN INWISSELBAAR IN ZILVER NA AANKONDIGING' (Is accepted as payment by the Surinamese Bank and at all country treasuries, exchangeable for silver after announcement) | 'GEREGISTREERD: PARAMARIBO.' (Registered: Paramaribo) | '30 October 1940' | 'DE ADMINISTRATEUR VAN FINANCIËN' (The Administrator of Finances) | 'DE GOUVERNEUR VAN SURINAME' (The Governor of Suriname) | 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY'. BACK SIDE: 'SURINAME' | 'EEN HALVE GULDEN' (One Half Guilder) | 'HET NAMAKEN OF VERVALSCHEN VAN DIE ALS ECHT EN ONVERVALSCH UIT GESTRAFT MET GEVANGENISSTRAF VAN... ZILVERSON MET HET OOGMERK OM TEGEN OF TE DOEN UITGEVEN WORDT TEN HOOGSTE NEGEN JAREN.' (The counterfeiting or falsification of those presented as genuine and unfalsified is punished with imprisonment of... Silver with intent to issue is punished with a maximum of nine years) | 'WETTIG BETAALMIDDEL' (Legal Tender).

Intaglio (line engraving) printing in two colors—red and tan/black—executed by the American Bank Note Company of New York, a leading security printer of the era. The fine line work visible in the portrait, vignette details, and ornamental borders are characteristic of intaglio printing; the color separation and registration appear consistent with period two-color note production techniques.

This specimen is cataloged as Pick 104a, the primary variety of the 1/2 Gulden 1940 issue. The notation 'SERIE II' visible on the obverse indicates Series Two of the emission. PMG population reports identify P-104c (50 Cent) and P-104s2 (50 Cent) as additional cataloged variants for this denomination; the specific distinguishing characteristics of 104a versus these variants are not evident from the visual analysis but may relate to signatures, plate differences, or serial number ranges. The serial number 15309 on this example places it within documented circulation records for the issue.