Catalog
1 Dollar Red and grey
| Issuer | Government of British Honduras |
|---|---|
| Year | 1895 |
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| Printer | Thomas De La Rue & Company, London, United Kingdom |
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|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | The Government of British Honduras PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF ONE DOLLAR BELIZE, 1st JANUARY, 1895 FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH HONDURAS COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY 1 |
| Reverse description | Printed in grey, the reverse is dominated by three large interlocking guilloche rosettes of differing geometric designs arranged horizontally, framed within an elaborately engraved scalloped border with fine lathe-work scrollwork throughout. The word BRITISH appears within a medallion on the left and HONDURAS within a corresponding medallion on the right, each set against densely patterned engine-turned backgrounds. |
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| Comments |
British Honduras in 1895 was still operating under a currency system tied to the Mexican dollar, which had been the dominant trade coin in the region for decades. The colonial government's decision to issue its own paper currency in this period was partly a response to the volatility of Mexican silver — the peso had been depreciating steadily against gold-standard currencies, and merchants conducting business with British firms were taking losses on exchange.
De La Rue produced the series to a high standard, as was consistent for colonial government contracts of this type. Pick 8 is among the earliest surviving paper issues for the territory, and examples that passed through active commerce in Belize Town show considerable wear — the humid climate was hard on paper currency.