
Over the past few months, this blog has featured a number of highlights from our upcoming 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction. This week, we will look at one more lot in that sale, one that I am personally quite excited about, as it is among the great rarities of post-World War II Commonwealth numismatics. Dated 28th November 1950, this British Caribbean Territories $100 (Pick-6, TBB B106a) is graded Choice Very Fine 35 by PMG, with no negative comments. The highest denomination of the heavily collected British Caribbean Territories series, it is the finest of just three issued notes in the PMG population report.
The British Caribbean Currency Board (BCCB) was established in 1950 to manage currency and monetary policy for several British colonies in the Caribbean and South America. Its creation followed the need for a more unified and stable financial system across the region, which included Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, British Guiana, and other smaller islands. The BCCB was responsible for issuing a common currency and overseeing the monetary policy to promote economic stability and facilitate trade within the region. The Board’s establishment marked a significant step in consolidating the financial systems of the British Caribbean colonies under a central authority, contributing to greater economic integration.
The notes of the British Caribbean Currency Board were first introduced into circulation in early 1951. Six denominations were issued: 1 Dollar, 2 Dollars, 5 Dollars, 10 Dollars, 20 Dollars and 100 Dollars. All notes were printed by the firm of Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. in England and shared a common design: A map of the region at left and a portrait of King George VI in a business suit at right. The back shows the coat of arms of each of the board’s individual member countries. Each denomination is known with two dates (1950 and 1951) and two signature varieties. The note in our NYINC auction has the first date and the signatures of Ronald W. Robertson, Edwin F. McDavid, and Hampden A. Cuke.
The banknotes issued by the BCCB in 1951 played a central role in unifying and stabilizing the economies of the British Caribbean colonies. Prior to the BCCB’s establishment, each territory had used its own currency, leading to inefficiencies and complications in trade and finance. The introduction of a common currency under the BCCB allowed for easier movement of goods and capital across the region, fostering greater economic integration. The notes were pegged to the British Pound at a rate of $4.80 to £1, ensuring stability in their value.
Collectors will know that except for the $1 and $2 (and perhaps the $5, depending on who you ask) the other denominations that were issued during the reign of King George VI range from very scarce to extremely rare. The $100 is the rarest type issued by the BCCB. While some collectors will make the argument that the $100 with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is more desirable, I’d like to make the argument that since there are far fewer examples of the King George VI issue known, it should be regarded as more special (of course, either type of the $100 would be a highlight of an advanced collection). The number of public auction offerings of the KGVI issue pales in comparison to the QEII version (which, despite this, already appears at auction very infrequently). In fact, except for a single sale back in 2009, we are not aware of any issued notes of Pick-6 to come to public auction in this century, until now.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries is always accepting consignments for future auctions. To start the consignment process, please contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries at 800-458-4646 or email Dennis Hengeveld at [email protected].