Catalog
5 Shillings
| Issuer | Government of the British Solomon Islands |
|---|---|
| Year | 1916-1926 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF FIVE SHILLINGS |
| Reverse description | The reverse is unprinted, presenting a plain paper surface with show-through of the obverse design elements visible due to the thinness of the stock. No distinct vignette, lettering, or security device is applied to this side. |
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| Comments |
The British Solomon Islands Protectorate had no banking infrastructure whatsoever in the early twentieth century — no commercial bank operated there until well after this issue. These emergency government notes were produced to facilitate trade, primarily in copra, which was the dominant export commodity and the main driver of whatever cash economy existed on the islands at the time.
Pick 1 is among the rarest Pacific island issues of the period. The small population, limited circulation pool, and tropical climate conspired against survival. Paper deteriorates rapidly in that environment, and there was no particular reason for anyone to preserve these carefully.