Catalog
1 Shilling
| Issuer | Government of Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Year | 1918 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Printed locally |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Plain typeset design on white paper, with the authority text "Issued under Ord. XXII, 1918" printed in the upper left and right corners flanking the bold central heading "NIGERIA". The denomination "1/-" appears in large numerals at both left and right margins, with "GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA" arched above a central rectangular panel inscribed "ONE SHILLING" in letterpress. The lower portion carries the legal tender clause, the place and date of issue "LAGOS, December, 1918", a serial number at lower left, and a manuscript signature above the designation "Treasurer" at lower right. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Reverse is entirely plain, printed on unadorned white paper with no vignette, text, or decorative elements, consistent with the emergency wartime production of this issue. |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
Nigeria's first government-issued paper currency, authorized under the West African Currency Board framework but issued specifically for Nigeria during the First World War, when the shortage of coin made small-denomination notes a practical necessity. The 1 Shilling was the lowest value in the series, intended to replace the silver coinage that had largely disappeared from circulation — hoarded, exported, or melted as silver prices rose with wartime demand.
Local printing in Lagos was unusual for colonial currency of this period, most of which was produced in Britain. D.S. MacGregor was the Acting Treasurer of Nigeria at the time of signing.