1 dinar 1958

Common. This is a regular issue from 1958 with substantial circulation. Secondary market eBay data confirms this assessment: VF-graded examples have consistently sold for $8–$37.50 over the past decade, indicating common availability. Even the 2016 catalog valuation of $37.50 for VF reflects typical market pricing for circulated early post-independence notes rather than scarcity. The note's accessibility and trading frequency confirm its common status in all conditions.

This 1958 issue represents the Banque Centrale de Tunisie's first independent currency following Tunisia's independence from France in March 1956. The imagery—featuring nationalist leader Habib Bourguiba and the Ben Metir dam infrastructure project—reflects the new nation's emphasis on modernization and development. The bilingual French-Arabic inscriptions and Islamic geometric design elements symbolize Tunisia's dual cultural heritage during this pivotal period of nation-building.

The obverse features a formal portrait of President Habib Bourguiba positioned at the left in three-quarter profile, rendered in fine intaglio line work in green ink. The portrait conveys statesmanlike authority with Bourguiba in business attire. The right side incorporates an ornate eight-pointed Islamic geometric rosette or medallion pattern in green and blue, a characteristic design element reflecting Tunisian Islamic artistic tradition. The reverse showcases the Ben Metir dam, a significant hydraulic engineering project representing national development aspirations, depicted with multiple spillway gates and a water landscape rendered in detailed green intaglio. Decorative geometric borders frame both sides, utilizing traditional Islamic geometric patterns consistent with the nation's cultural identity.

Front side: 'البنك المركزي التونسي' (Al-Bank Al-Markazi Al-Tunisi) = 'Central Bank of Tunisia'; 'B/9 543487' = Serial number. Back side: 'BANQUE CENTRALE DE TUNISIE' = 'Central Bank of Tunisia' (French); 'UN DINAR' = 'One Dinar' (French/Arabic denomination).

Intaglio (recess) printing throughout, evidenced by the depth and fine-line detail visible in both the portrait rendering and landscape vignettes. The precise geometric patterns and elaborate border work indicate professional security printing typical of Central Bank of Tunisia issues from this period. No specific security printer attribution is definitively established in available catalog records for Pick 58.

The visual analysis identifies this as Pick 58, base denomination. PMG records indicate two variants exist: P-58 and P-58cts. The observed serial number format 'B/9 543487' is consistent with standard issue serial numbering. No overprints, signatures variations, or dated elements are visible that would distinguish sub-varieties. Additional variety differentiation would require examination of specific signature blocks, date markings, or printer identifiers not clearly distinguishable from the images provided.