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Sale 35 1, 4 Dec 2022
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East Africa 15.12.1921 P-17 PMG Choice About UNC 58 EPQ 200/- Shillings = 10 Pounds
Important East Africa Currency Board Rarity
It is not often that we can offer a note of the rarity and magnitude as the present offering. This lot does not only represent a rare opportunity to acquire a classic key note from a heavily collected area, that note also happens to be the only example in the PMG population report that has been graded EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality). With original notes continuing to appreciate in demand and value such a status should not be underestimated. In fact, with just some minor handling accounting for the grade assigned by the grading service, we feel comfortable making the statement that this is a contender for the most desirable of the very limited number of pieces known of this type. This offering might represent one of the few opportunities to ever acquire this type, as just three are in the PMG population report and the few others known are held in advanced collections, unlikely to come to the market anytime soon.
The series of banknotes printed for British East Africa are some of the most desirable banknotes ever issued in the Commonwealth, with the series filled with rarities, yet heavily collected by specialists. First established as the East Africa Protectorate, most of the region later became the independent country of Kenya, but the notes were also valid for circulation in Tanganyika (modern-day Tanzania) and Uganda. After 1920 the notes (including the one offered in this lot) were issued by the East African Currency Board, first headquartered in Mombasa and later in Nairobi.
Fairly simple in appearance, the notes issued by the East African Currency Board were fairly consistent in design, with a portrait of the British Monarch (in this case King George V) and text in various languages (English, Arabic and Gujarati) on the front. The back features an African lion in an East African landscape and text in English only. All banknotes are denominated in both Shillings and Pounds.
This is a high denomination banknote that represented a substantial sum of money at the time of issue and would have seen limited use in day-to-day transactions in the colony. It mostly would have been reserved for larger transactions and would have circulated mostly within banks. Two higher denominations were also issued, with the 1,000 Shillings being more available than the present piece (thanks to a group of low serial numbered notes that appeared on the market years ago), and the 10,000 Shillings being so rare in issued form to be essentially non-collectible, this 200 Shillings can be considered one of the true keys in the series.
The note is fresh to the market, with strong originality clearly visible in the PMG plastic. The colors are strong and bright, and the paper is free of pinholes, writing or other problems. As mentioned above, no true folds are visible, and some inconsequential handling was allegedly enough for PMG to consider this an About Uncirculated example. In the PMG holder this easily presents as a fully original Choice Uncirculated note. An impressive rarity and one of the highlights of our sales for this year.
PMG Population in 58 EPQ: 1 (2 Finer)
Important East Africa Currency Board Rarity
It is not often that we can offer a note of the rarity and magnitude as the present offering. This lot does not only represent a rare opportunity to acquire a classic key note from a heavily collected area, that note also happens to be the only example in the PMG population report that has been graded EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality). With original notes continuing to appreciate in demand and value such a status should not be underestimated. In fact, with just some minor handling accounting for the grade assigned by the grading service, we feel comfortable making the statement that this is a contender for the most desirable of the very limited number of pieces known of this type. This offering might represent one of the few opportunities to ever acquire this type, as just three are in the PMG population report and the few others known are held in advanced collections, unlikely to come to the market anytime soon.
The series of banknotes printed for British East Africa are some of the most desirable banknotes ever issued in the Commonwealth, with the series filled with rarities, yet heavily collected by specialists. First established as the East Africa Protectorate, most of the region later became the independent country of Kenya, but the notes were also valid for circulation in Tanganyika (modern-day Tanzania) and Uganda. After 1920 the notes (including the one offered in this lot) were issued by the East African Currency Board, first headquartered in Mombasa and later in Nairobi.
Fairly simple in appearance, the notes issued by the East African Currency Board were fairly consistent in design, with a portrait of the British Monarch (in this case King George V) and text in various languages (English, Arabic and Gujarati) on the front. The back features an African lion in an East African landscape and text in English only. All banknotes are denominated in both Shillings and Pounds.
This is a high denomination banknote that represented a substantial sum of money at the time of issue and would have seen limited use in day-to-day transactions in the colony. It mostly would have been reserved for larger transactions and would have circulated mostly within banks. Two higher denominations were also issued, with the 1,000 Shillings being more available than the present piece (thanks to a group of low serial numbered notes that appeared on the market years ago), and the 10,000 Shillings being so rare in issued form to be essentially non-collectible, this 200 Shillings can be considered one of the true keys in the series.
The note is fresh to the market, with strong originality clearly visible in the PMG plastic. The colors are strong and bright, and the paper is free of pinholes, writing or other problems. As mentioned above, no true folds are visible, and some inconsequential handling was allegedly enough for PMG to consider this an About Uncirculated example. In the PMG holder this easily presents as a fully original Choice Uncirculated note. An impressive rarity and one of the highlights of our sales for this year.
PMG Population in 58 EPQ: 1 (2 Finer)