5 Dollars 1974, Bahamas
| in Krause book | Number: 37a |
| Years of issue: | 1974 |
| Edition: | 2 916 414 |
| Signatures: | Governor: Mr. T. Baswell Donaldson (1974 - 1980) |
| Serie: | 1974 Central bank Act |
| Specimen of: | 1965 |
| 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:
Lobatus gigas, commonly known as the queen conch, is a species of large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family of true conchies, the Strombidae. This species is one of the largest molluscs native to the tropical northwestern Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil, reaching up to 35.2 centimeters (13.9 in) in shell length. L. gigas is closely related to the Goliath conch, Lobatus Goliath, a species endemic to Brazil, as well as the rooster conch, Lobatus gallus.
Avers:
HM The Queen Elizabeth II.
The first official photographic sitting with the new Queen was granted to the society photographer Dorothy Wilding. It took place on 26 February 1952, just twenty days after the accession. A total of fifty-nine photographs were taken by Wilding, showing The Queen dressed in a variety of gowns designed by Norman Hartnell and wearing jewellery including the Diamond Diadem. The photographs taken during this sitting were the basis of The Queen’s image on postage stamps from 1953 until 1971, as well as providing the official portrait of The Queen which was sent to every British embassy throughout the world. (Royal collection trust)
The Queen is wearing the George IV State Diadem. Made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell (and likely designed by their designer, Philip Liebart) in 1820, the diadem features a set of 4 crosses pattée alternating with 4 bouquets of roses, thistles, and shamrocks. The motifs are set on a band of diamond scrollwork between two bands of pearls. Queen Alexandra had the diadem made smaller in 1902, reducing the top band of pearls from 86 to 81, and the bottom band from 94 to 88. The front cross is set with a 4 carat yellow diamond, and the piece features 1,333 diamonds in all. (Sartorial Splendor)
The necklace worn by The Queen, of diamond flowers and leaves, was a wedding present from Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar. The necklace was originally crafted in 1930s by Cartier. It was a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth II, who was still a princess, on her wedding to Prince Philip from the Last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1947. The Nizam of Hyderabad asked the Queen to choose two pieces from Cartier to mark her wedding, and she chose a tiara and a matching necklace based on an English rose.
The necklace was made by Cartier with 38 diamonds, with a diamond-encrusted snap. It has a detachable double-drop pendant, made of 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop, forms the pave-set center of the necklace. The design was based on English roses. 
Pair of pearl drop earrings, made circa 1947.
The pearls used to create these earrings were a wedding present to Princess Elizabeth in 1947 from the Sheikh of Bahrain. The diamonds used in the earrings use a variety of modern cuts. (A Royal Wedding 1947)
In these portraits she is woman first and Queen second. However, the beauty of Her Majesty in these images has been enhanced by the engraver. The original portrait, while very flattering, represents Her Majesty in a more regal aspect and with, perhaps, less distinct facial features. (Peter Symes)
Lower, centered, are the royal palm leaves.
Denominations in numerals are in all corners, in words centered.
Revers:
The Coat of Arms of the Bahamas on the right.
The Coat of Arms of the Bahamas 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.
Central image is the Government House and the statue of Christopher Columbus.
Government House is the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas.
Built on a hill, known as Mount Fitzwilliam, and completed in 1806, this imposing stuccoed-coral-rock building on Duke Street is the Bahamian archipelago's foremost example of Georgian Colonial architecture. In 1814, Colonel Don Antonio de Alcedo, a Spanish scholar and soldier, wrote admiringly of its effect. The Oriental Herald, in 1825, stated: "The new Government-House, standing on the center of the ridge that overlooks the town, was built by a sum voted by the House of Assembly from the funds of the Treasury and cost upwards of 20,000 Pounds. It is built in the European style of architecture, and is universally considered the best building of the kind throughout the West Indies".
The building's original neoclassical aspect, as well as its stone construction, was directly influenced by the arrival of Loyalists from the southern United States in the 1780s. Previously most Bahamian buildings had been built of painted wood. Typically Bahamian elements, however, include louvered wood shutters and brightly painted exterior, in this case a brilliant shade of conch-pink. The primary facade, centered on a pedimented entrance supported by four stout Ionic columns, dates from the 1930s, when the building was remodeled following the hurricane of 1929.
Before it stands a statue of Christopher Columbus. A statue was erected in his honor in 1830, by Sir James Carmichael-Smyth, 1st Baronet, Governor of Bahamas. It stands at the front of Government House, the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas.
On the left - Tecoma stans or Yellow Elder is a species of flowering perennial shrub in the trumpet vine family, Bignoniaceae, that is native to the Americas. Common names include yellow trumpet bush, yellow bells, yellow elder, ginger - thomas. Tecoma stans is the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands and the floral emblem of the Bahamas.
The Yellow Elder was chosen as the national flower of the Bahamas because it is native to the Bahama Islands, and it blooms throughout the year.
Selection of the yellow elder over many other flowers was made through the combined popular vote of members of all four of New Providence's garden clubs of the 1970s - the Nassau Garden Club, the Carver Garden Club, the International Garden Club, and the Y.W.C.A. Garden Club.
They reasoned that other flowers grown there - such as the bougainvillea, hibiscus, and poinciana - had already been chosen as the national flowers of other countries. The yellow elder, on the other hand, was unclaimed by other countries (although it is now also the national flower of the United States Virgin Islands).
Denominations in numerals are in three corners, in words in top left corner.
Comments:
The signature on banknote belongs to:
Mr. Timothy Baswell Donaldson.
The late Mr. T. Baswell Donaldson was appointed as the first Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas and Chairman of the Board on 1st June, 1974, having previously served as Manager (1968-1972) and Chairman (1972-1974) of The Bahamas Monetary Authority. Mr. Donaldson began his career as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and later served as Controller of Exchange. In 1973, he was awarded Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). After demitting office at the Central Bank, Mr. Donaldson served as chairman of Commonwealth Bank, the Securities Commission and College of The Bahamas Council. He also served as Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United States.
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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