1 dinar 1980
Market Prices
38 salesAbout This Note
This is a pristine, uncirculated example of the 1980 Tunisian 1 Dinar note (Pick P-74), graded UNC and issued by the Banque Centrale de Tunisie on October 15, 1980. The obverse features a dignified portrait of President Habib Bourguiba in formal attire alongside the El Djem Amphitheatre, while the reverse depicts the traditional white-washed hillside village of Korbous in Cap Bon with its characteristic mosque and minaret. The note exhibits exceptional preservation with no visible wear, creases, or damage, displaying the fine engraving detail and security features in perfect condition.
Common. Secondary market data from eBay sales spanning 2013–2025 shows consistent availability with prices ranging from $1.25 to $42, with most uncirculated examples selling in the $5–$15 range. The 2019 catalogue value of $7.50 for UNC examples reflects typical market pricing for this widely circulated denominator. Print run data and historical distribution records indicate no significant scarcity factors. This note remains readily obtainable for collectors at modest premiums.
Issued during the latter years of Habib Bourguiba's presidency (he ruled 1956–1987), this note commemorates two significant symbols of Tunisian national identity: the Roman amphitheatre at El Djem, one of the largest and best-preserved Roman structures in North Africa, and the rural settlement of Korbous, representing the nation's authentic cultural heritage. The 1980 date marks the period following Tunisia's 1978 constitutional reforms and reflects the nation's efforts to project both its ancient classical heritage and contemporary sovereignty through its currency design.
The obverse features President Habib Bourguiba positioned at right in formal suit and tie, with the El Djem Amphitheatre (a UNESCO World Heritage site and the third-largest Roman amphitheatre in the world) depicted in the center. The left margin displays ornamental scrollwork patterns with radiating line backgrounds. A large circular watermark area dominates the left side containing the portrait of Bourguiba. The reverse showcases the hillside settlement of Korbous (Cap Bon region), rendered in fine engraving detail with white-washed traditional North African architecture, a mosque with prominent minaret, rocky hillside, and vegetation. The ornamental border incorporates geometric and floral patterns in red, blue, and multicolor. Both sides feature intricate security engraving with fine line patterns throughout.
Front side: 'الجمهورية التونسية' (Tunisian Republic), 'دينار واحد' (One Dinar), date '1980-10-15' (October 15, 1980), serial number '988970'. Back side: 'BANQUE CENTRALE DE TUNISIE' (Central Bank of Tunisia), 'UN DINAR' / 'UNDINAR' (One Dinar), denomination numeral '1'. The note incorporates both Arabic and French inscriptions, reflecting Tunisia's bilingual official status.
Intaglio engraving on high-security banknote paper. The note exhibits the characteristic deep, precise line work, fine detail rendition, and dimensional quality associated with central bank currency production from this era. The Banque Centrale de Tunisie employed leading European security printers for this series, evidenced by the sophisticated microprinting, background pattern complexity, and watermark integration.
This example bears the serial number 988970 with prefix '10', dated 1980-10-15. The PMG population report indicates a single catalogued variant for Pick P-74. No overprints or significant varieties are apparent from the visual examination. The date falls within the initial issuance period of this design. Serial number prefixes and variations in plate positions may exist but are not definitively documented in standard catalogues for this series.
