1/2 gulden 1942

Common. This note was part of a regular issue series (1940-1942) from a government issuer with substantial print runs typical of circulating currency. The eBay market data provided shows consistent sales in the $6.65-$27 range for Fine condition examples, with an average around $13-18, well within the common range. The 2016 catalogue value of $30 for F condition further supports common status. Population data shows PMG has catalogued multiple variants (P-104c and P-104s2), indicating sufficient surviving population for professional grading. This is not a rare or scarce note.

The Zilverbon series was issued during World War II (1940-1942) as Suriname sought to maintain financial stability during the global conflict. The note's explicit statement that it was 'exchangeable in silver upon announcement' reflects the gold/silver standard practices still in effect during this period. The registration date of 30 April 1942 places this note in the final year of the Zilverbon series, representing Suriname's wartime monetary policy under the Governor's administration.

The front of the note features a classical female portrait identified as Athena on the left side, rendered in a fine engraved style characteristic of American Bank Note Company work. She is depicted facing forward with a decorative headdress or crown, surrounded by ornate geometric patterns featuring repeating triangular and fan-like designs in the border. The portrait occupies the left portion while text and denomination details fill the right side. The back displays an elaborate symmetrical ornamental design with floral and botanical motifs (possibly inspired by coral or flowering plants) executed in red/pink tones, centered with geometric border elements at top and bottom. The overall color scheme throughout is red/pink with cream and beige tones from the aged paper. All designs employ fine-line engraving techniques typical of high-security banknote production.

FRONT: Serial number and series (No. 11783, SERIE SS). Denomination: '50ca ZILVERBON 50ca' (50 cent silver bond) and 'GROOT EEN HALVE GULDEN' (equals one-half guilden). Legal text: '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 all regional treasuries. Exchangeable in silver upon announcement). Issuing information: 'GEREGISTREERD: PARAMARIBO, 30 APRIL 1942' (Registered: Paramaribo, 30 April 1942), with signatures for 'DE ADMINISTRATEUR VAN FINANCIEN' (The Administrator of Finance) and 'DE GOUVERNEUR VAN SURINAME' (The Governor of Suriname). Printer credit: 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY'. BACK: Country name 'SURINAME' and denomination 'EEN HALVE GULDEN' (One-half guilden), 'WETTIG BETAALMIDDEL' (Legal tender). Anti-counterfeiting warning: 'HET NAMAKEN OF VERVALSCHEN VAN DIE ALS ECHT EN ONVERVALSCH UIT GELDENT NIET GEVANGEN STRAF VAN ZILVERBONS MET HET OOGMERK OM TEGEVEN OF TE DOEN UITGEVEN WORDT TEN HOOGSTE NEGEN JAREN' (Counterfeiting or falsifying those considered genuine and unforged silver bonds with the intent to give or cause to be issued is punished with a maximum of nine years imprisonment).

Intaglio/Engraving (steel or copper plate engraving), characteristic of the American Bank Note Company's security printing methods. The intricate portrait, fine-line border designs, complex central ornamental motifs, and detailed decorative patterns all indicate hand-engraved plates. Security features include the intricacy of the engraved portrait, fine-line border work, and the complexity of the ornamental designs, which would be extremely difficult to counterfeit with contemporary technology. No evidence of photographic or lithographic techniques; pure engraving throughout.

This specific example is identified as Pick P-104c. The PMG population report indicates at least two variants exist for the base Pick number (P-104c and P-104s2), likely representing different signature combinations or printing characteristics. The observed specimen displays Series SS and serial number 11783, registration date 30 April 1942. Without access to the full signature varieties and their distinguishing characteristics, the specific variant type cannot be definitively established from the visual analysis alone, though the Pick designation P-104c indicates this is the cataloged standard type rather than a specimen or special printing variant.