100 shillings 1973 specimen

Common. While this is a specimen note (non-circulating), the 1973 100 Shillings is a standard issue from Uganda's early independence period with substantial print runs. eBay price data shows comparable circulated and AU examples selling in the $10-52 range, with catalogue values around $150 for UNC regular issue notes. Specimen notes, though technically non-circulating, were produced in quantities sufficient for distribution to banks and collectors, making them readily available in the modern numismatic market.

This 1973 issue marks the Bank of Uganda's early post-independence monetary period under Amin's military government. The obverse portrait depicts a high-ranking military officer in ceremonial uniform, reflecting the military governance of the era, while the reverse's savanna imagery with elephant and wildlife symbolizes Uganda's natural heritage and the nation's identity. The bilingual inscriptions in English and Swahili represent the regional linguistic context of East Africa during this period.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of a uniformed military officer positioned at the left, wearing a decorative cap with insignia and displaying military medals and decorations across the chest—this represents the leadership authority of Uganda's government. The background incorporates ornamental circular medallions and fine geometric security patterns. The Uganda national coat of arms or heraldic emblem appears in the lower right area. The reverse depicts a naturalistic East African landscape scene centered on an elephant in savanna habitat, with acacia-like trees, grassland, and a water body in the middle distance, with mountains or hills on the horizon. Decorative antelope or gazelle head motifs appear in the bottom corners, and circular ornamental medallions frame the top. The overall color scheme features green as the dominant hue with gray, black, tan, and beige accents, creating a sophisticated multicolor design typical of Commonwealth-era African currency.

Front side: 'BANK OF UGANDA' (English: Bank of Uganda); 'ONE HUNDRED SHILLINGS' (English: denomination); 'SHILLINGI MIA MOJA' (Swahili: One Hundred Shillings); 'LEGAL TENDER FOR ONE HUNDRED SHILLINGS' (English: legal tender declaration); 'FOR BANK OF UGANDA' (English: issuing authority); 'GOVERNOR' and 'DIRECTOR' (English: signature title designations); '100' (numeric denomination); 'SPECIMEN' (English: specimen overprint); Serial number prefix 'P000000'. Back side: 'BANK OF UGANDA' (English: Bank of Uganda); '100' (numeric denomination); 'ONE HUNDRED SHILLINGS' (English: denomination); 'SHILLINGI MIA MOJA' (Swahili: One Hundred Shillings); 'SPECIMEN' (English: specimen overprint).

This note was produced using intaglio engraving, evidenced by the fine line work, detailed portrait rendering, precise geometric patterns, and the characteristic texture visible in the landscape and security designs. The multicolor printing technique with layered green, gray, and earth-tone inks suggests line-engraved production by a European security printer, consistent with Bank of Uganda notes of this period. The specimen overprint was applied separately in red.

This note is catalogued as Pick P-9as, identifying it as a specimen variant of the base 100 Shillings issue. The 's' suffix denotes its specimen status. Per PMG population data, four variants exist for this base Pick number (P-9a, P-9as, P-9b, P-9c*), all featuring the Crested Crane watermark characteristic of Uganda's currency. The specimen overprint and serial number prefix P000000 (rather than circulation-use prefixes like Z/1, Y/1, X/1, or W/1) confirm its non-circulating designation. The signature titles GOVERNOR and DIRECTOR appear as standard on this issue.