50 Cents 1984, Bahamas
| in Krause book | Number: 42a |
| Years of issue: | 1984 |
| Edition: | 999 574 |
| Signatures: | Governor: Mr. William C. Allen (1980-1987) |
| Serie: | 1974 Central Bank Act. 1984 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1984 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 156 х 67 |
| Printer: | TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Spanish galleon "Santa Maria", the flagship of the first expedition of Columbus sailing on the sea the sun shone. Her foremast shows pennant Expedition (white with a green cross and the first letters of the names of the Spanish royal couple, sent an expedition - Ferdinand and Isabella), and on the main and mizzen-mast - then flag and pennant Spain lion of Leon and Castillo.
Numeral 1/2 is orange in UV.
Avers:
HM The Queen Elizabeth II. The photograph that was used of the Queen was taken in April 1975 by the late Reading-based photographer Peter Grugeon and later released for official use during the Silver Jubilee in 1977. It is one of the more popular images of The Queen. (Peter Symes).
Her Majesty is depicted wearing Grand Duchess Vladimir's tiara, Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee necklace, the Royal Family Orders of King George VI and George V and Queen Alexandra's Wedding Earrings.
The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara.
No tiara is complete without a fascinating backstory, and this one's even got a daring escape. Made by Bolin, it glittered at the Russian royal court on the head of Grand Duchess Vladimir until the revolution, when it was left behind as the family fled. A British agent and friend smuggled it out of Russia to rejoin the exiled Grand Duchess and her collection. After her death, the tiara was bought from her daughter by Queen Mary. It's worn often today by the Queen with pearl or emerald drops, or occasionally with no drops. The pearl drop option has been the most popular with the Queen in recent years, probably owing to her love of white gowns in the evening and accompanying white jewels.
To mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, a committee of ladies was formed to raise money for a commemorative statue of Victoria’s late husband Prince Albert. The committee’s fundraising was quite successful, and they ended up raising far more than was required for the statue. An agreement was formed with the Queen that the excess should go to the St. Katherine’s Fund for Nurses. At the same time, some members of the committee decided that a portion of the funds should be used to purchase a necklace for the Queen - and this was also approved by Her Majesty.
The trouble was, the committee did not agree on the necklace. Some felt it would be wrong to spend the funds which had been previously devoted to charity on something else. Much discussion and debate ensued, as is described in depth in Hugh Roberts’ book The Queen’s Diamonds. (My favorite tidbit: Queen Victoria, angry that she wouldn’t get her promised necklace, shot down the prospect of a diamond badge commemorating the nursing fund by declaring she would “at once exchange it for another jewel”.
In the end, a compromise was reached and this necklace, made for £5000 (far less than the necklace originally proposed) from gold, diamonds, and pearls by Carrington & Co. was presented to Queen Victoria in 1888. It features a central quatrefoil diamond motif with a large pearl in the middle, topped by a crown and underlined with a drop pearl. The next four links in either direction are graduated trefoil motifs; the central piece and the six largest trefoils can also be worn as brooches.
She is also wearing Queen Alexandra’s Cluster Earrings. The wedding gift from the future King Edward VII to his bride, Alexandra of Denmark. Also known as Queen Alexandra's Cluster Earrings, these two button earrings have large pearls surrounded by diamonds - 10 larger stones each plus smaller filler stones to create a full diamond ring. Like the brooch, these passed to the Queen via Queen Mary. They're now worn primarily at evening functions.
Royal Family Orders.
King George IV started a practice in the British royal family which continues today: the awarding of family orders. These are diamond-set portraits of the monarch suspended from a silk bow (the color varying by reign), and they are today given to female royal family members of the sovereign's choosing as a personal gift.
Queen Elizabeth was first given her grandfather George V's order, set on pale blue silk.
Followed by her father George VI's, on pink silk, and she wears them both today. (A royal lady can wear all the family orders she has at once.) The orders are positioned on the left shoulder. They are worn for the most formal events, and can usually be seen on the Queen when she's at a tiara event.
In most renditions of this portrait, the Royal Family Order of King George VI is apparent below the left-hand shoulder of Her Majesty, while the uppermost portion of the Royal Family Order of King George V is apparent in only some renditions of the portrait. (Her majesty's Jewel Vault)
On the left side are the straw baskets and rug at Straw Market.
Nearby is Bank of Bahamas logo.
It is Mellita quinquiesperforata or Keyhole Sand Dollar - a tropical species of sand dollar, a flat, round marine animal related to sea urchins, sea stars, and other echinoderms.
The selection of the sanddollar as the logo of the Central Bank was made by the first Governor, Mr. T. B. Donaldson, who, in addition to wanting something Bahamian, was "intrigued by the elegance and history" of this unusual specimen of marine life, of which an interesting legend exists. The markings on the shell of the sanddollar are said to symbolize the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ".
On the background is a map of Bahamas.
Denominations in numerals are in all corners. In words in center.
Revers:
The Seller - sister Sarah Johnson at Nassau market (in the food row).
According to Paul Walters, "Sister Sarah is indeed a real person. She was a prominent figure at the straw market in the 1970s, when the market was located along the dock--before it moved to its present day location on Bay street".
The art of straw work weaving is alive and well on Harbour Island and North Eleuthera. These baskets, hats, dolls and mats are made to be sold in the local shops and straw markets of Nassau, Freeport and overseas. Miz Curline Higgs, Miss Eva Mather, Sister Sarah Johnson and Miz Jacquelyn Percentie of Harbour Island are a few of several local artisans who have mastered the art of weaving these beautiful items, and who continue to sponsor up-and-coming younger weavers from the neighboring settlements as they continue the tradition.
The Coat of Arms of the Bahamas on the right.
It contains a shield with the national symbols as its focal point.
The escutcheon (shield) is supported by a marlin and flamingo. The crest on top of the helm (helmet) is a conch shell, which represents the varied marine life of the island chain. Below the helm is the escutcheon itself, whose main charge is a ship, reputed to represent the Santa Maria of Christopher Columbus. It is sailing beneath a sun in the chief. The animals supporting the shield are the national animals, and the national motto is found at the bottom. The flamingo is located upon land, and the marlin upon sea, indicating the geography of the islands.
The vibrant tinctures of the coat of arms are also intended to point to a bright future for the islands. They are also reputed to have been maintained for their attractiveness to tourists.
The Coat of Arms was approved by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on 7 December 1971 for use by the Bahamian People and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It was designed by Bahamian artist and clergyman, Rev. Dr. Hervis L. Bain, Jr., who is also a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Nearby is, again, logo of the Bank of Bahamas.
Denominations in numerals are in top corners and on the right side. In words, lower, in center.
Comments:
The signature on banknote belongs to:
Sir William C. Allen, KCMG.
Governor (June 1980 - January 1987) Sir William Allen joined The Bahamas Monetary Authority as Manager of Research in 1970. He was named Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, successor to the Authority, in 1974. He became Governor on 1st June, 1980 on the resignation of Mr. Timothy Baswell Donaldson from the post. Following an extensive
career in banking and finance, Sir Allen went on to serve in the Government of The Bahamas as Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Planning and subsequently as Minister of Finance and Planning. In 2000, Sir Allen was made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of St. Michael and George (KCMG).
The De La Rue engraving, as well as reflecting the differences mentioned in Portrait 17a, also represents The Queen with a more cheerful aspect, achieving this through slight differences around Her eyes and lips.
Bradbury Wilkinson's version of this portrait has less shading on The Queen's neck just above Her necklace, than is apparent on the De La Rue engravings (Portrait 17b). There are other subtle variations to the second version, noticeably in the patterns on Her Majesty's dress.
In 1919 was created the Monetary Council (Currency Board). In 1968 was established the Office of Bahamas Monetary Authority, obtained the right of money issue. At June 1, 1974 were established the Central Bank of the Bahamas, which were transferred to the functions of the abolished Office of Bahamas Monetary Authority.
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