British Guiana Rarities Coming to the Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction

British Guiana. Today known as the country of Guyana, it is a place that for many captures the imagination. Located on the northern coast of South America, it is bordered by Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil. Philatelists may know it because it is the birthplace of the world’s most expensive postage stamp (the 1c Magenta of 1856). It is rarely visited by outsiders, despite being the only English-speaking country in South America. This is a shame, as the country has much natural beauty, some of which is displayed on what can be classified as the most important and popular of the colony’s paper money, the 1937-1942 issues from the Government of British Guiana.

While banknotes issued by private banks had been in circulation in the region as early as the first decades of the 19^th century, government issuance of paper money did not commence until 1916. Denominated in Dollars, there was a relatively small issuance of lower denominations of paper money over the next two decades. However, in the late 1930s and early 1940s, a new series of notes was introduced into circulation, eventually including six denominations, ranging from $1 to $100. While the lower denominations are seen with some regularity, the $20 and the $100, the two highest denominations issued, are extremely rare and seldom offered for sale. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to announce the offering of these two rarities in our upcoming Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction, our sale traditionally focused on paper money of the Americas.

The design of all six denominations is identical. On the front is a vignette of the Kaieteur Falls, flanked by a toucan on one side and the colony’s seal on the right. Kaieteur Falls is one of the most powerful single-drop waterfalls in the world, with a 741-foot (226-meter) drop, about 4.5 times the height of Niagara Falls. Located in the country’s geographical center, the waterfall and the surrounding national park are popular tourist destinations. On the back of the notes is a portrait of King George VI. The fact that the monarch’s portrait was placed on the back is a rather odd and unusual choice, unique to the notes of British Guiana. However, your author cannot argue that it was a poor artistic choice, as it resulted in one of the most well-designed and attractive series in all of world paper money.

As mentioned above, the lower denominations are seen with some regularity, although typically in well-circulated condition, with just a few uncirculated notes of the $1, $2, and $5 known to exist. The tropical climate makes original notes with “EPQ” status scarce, regardless of condition. The $10 becomes much scarcer, especially above Very Fine, and the $20 is very infrequently offered (we know of three offerings at public auction in the past decade, not including the note in our upcoming sale). The PMG population report reveals just four issued notes and two specimens of the $20. The key to the series, however, is the highest denomination, the $100. Representing massive purchasing power in a little-developed outpost of the British Colonial Empire, there appears to have been little need for the denomination in everyday circulation. It is unclear how many notes were issued, but the number must have been small, and most wereredeemed at some point, perhaps in England after its owner returned, or after a successful trade was concluded. Over the past few decades, collectors have had a chance to acquire a few specimens of this issue at public auction, most recently in 2009 and 2014 (specimens of this series are usually issued notes, with a vertical “SPECIMEN” perforation or black “SPECIMEN” handstamp, indicating that they were made from regular notes as needed). The $100 in our upcoming sale is the sole issued example in the PMG population report. While we do not want to call it unique in issued format out of an abundance of caution, its great rarity is undisputed.

The greatest collections of paper money of the British Commonwealth have lacked an issued example of a British Guiana $100. Now, one lucky bidder will be able to immediately lift their collection to the next level and enter the numismatic hall of fame with the acquisition of the $100. The following three British Guiana rarities will be offered at the Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction:

BRITISH GUIANA. Government of British Guiana. 10 Dollars, 1.1.1942. P-15. PMG Extremely Fine 40.

BRITISH GUIANA. Government of British Guiana. 20 Dollars, 1.1.1942. P-16. PMG Very Fine 25.

BRITISH GUIANA. Government of British Guiana. 100 Dollars, 1.1.1942. P-17. PMG Very Fine 30.

Additional highlights for the sale that have already been consigned include notes from Chile, Danish West Indies, Islas Malvinas, Leeward Islands, Mexico, and others. We are still accepting consignments from the Americas for the Summer 2025 Global Showcase auction, but the deadline is rapidly approaching. To take advantage of the strong market and to see your items offered in an auction catalog full of star power, contact Dennis Hengeveld at [email protected] or call 800-458-4646.