Variations From The Eastern Caribbean States (Ecs):

I actually posted the incorrect note (a newer 2000 $10) after I intended to post the one below.

Here's a $20 P-28u issued from Anguilla:



Let's see any EC notes you think may be tough ones to find.

Thanks for posting/sharing!

It's likely due to my familiarity with US paper money, but I find the "green" notes of the series to be more visually appealing (vs. the red or deep purple, for example).

I checked out the bank note web site for which you provided a link - very nice collection and presentation of notes! A very good reference source.

-Your welcome guys!
"Commems" I have found the bank note museum a treasure trove of interesting info. For example, if you click on the link below & examine the varieties for the 1965 $20 (P-15):
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c.../XCD0015.htm

- you cannot help but notice that P-15a, P-15c, P-15e(3) & P-15k are missing. Twenties from any of the different 1965 variations are tough (& command much higher than what you see on the SCWPM BV) but those four are particularly tough. Some collectors will dig a bit deeper (& know this) but many won't go that extra mile, so it is still not too difficult to acquire fairly tough notes for a decent price. One Hundred Dollar notes (P-16) are also very tough. The higher the denomination -the tougher the note tends to be (& this applies for all other Caribbean nations' currency (like Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman, etc)

The next ECS series with a design change was released in 1985. The map of the EC islands did not include Anguilla in the front design until 1988. This was also when the Eastern Caribbean Bank used the SUFFIX letter to designate which island the note came from. T

The first note is a $1 from St. Lucia (suffix L) without Anguilla in the front design (1985):


Although these notes were printed for only 2 years it seems as if they became the more common variety than their successors which were printed from 1988-1992 (4 years) since the notes that include Anguilla seem more expensive.

Here is a Five from Montserrat (P-18m):

Thanks 'jbuck'

A now a word about the 1965 overprints & the 1985 suffix letter designations.

In 1985, when the ECS central bank had issued the new $1.00 the designs for the $5 & $20 were still not ready. Sometime before this (likely mid-70's) the ECS had decided to link overprinted letters with the independent nation the note was released from. This helped acknowledge each nations uniquene identity, keep the population well supplied (satisfied) with the ECS central system (not repeat history of dissatisfaction that occurred with Jamaica & the unpopular "BeeWee," for example). So $1, $5 & $20 from the 1965 series had a circular overprint and one of the following letters inside this circle:

A = Antigua
D = Dominica
G = Grenada
K = St. Kitts
L = St Lucia
M = Montserrat
U = Anguilla
V = St. Vincent

When collecting ECS notes it is important to remember that the $1 like the note I posted from St. Lucia was being released at the same time as the old 1965 $5 & $20 with the above letters & circular overprints codifying their origin. There was overlap in the release of these two series (much like there has been in other countries). This system had already started with the $1 and $5 and later with the $20, so that P-15h is from Antigua & a much later release than P-15a to P-15g.
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c...0015.htm#15j

Lower denominations would wear out faster than the higher denominations & I imagine the higher denominations (especially the $20 & $100) came out in trickles (as needed). The reason I point this out is that many collectors assume that the early issues P-14a-d are the most scarce & dismiss the letter overprinted variety. However, that's not always the case. Latter varieties with circular overprints (especially in the $20 & $100) can be scarce since they were likely replaced by the newer series.

The TWO new 1985 SERIES employ SUFFIXES to link nations: after the popularity of the first overprint system. The suffixes follow the same designation as listed above & signifies the origin of the banknote's issue.

Another similar assumption occurs with the 1985-1987 (P-17 to P-20) & the modified 1985-1988 (P-21 to P-25) corrected series (that included Anguilla in the map design). Collectors often assume that the first series is tougher than the second modified (with Anguilla) version. I have often found it harder to find notes with Anguilla (especially P-21 $1.00) than without. It may have been that everyone got plenty of the new issue but then forgot about it when two years later, the printers have modified the design (quietly) not to bring attention to the oversight. We'll never know.

The modified series also has 2 signatures (Cecil Jacobs & Dwight Venner) and the SCWPM has attributed both as being equally tough. I suspect that the second (last) signature variety to be the tougher of the two.

Here's the TEN DOLLARS (from St. Lucia), which features the first Jacob's signature:



The SCWPM also assigns equal Book Value to each nation but there is a wide discrepancy in terms of availability. I have found Dominica (D) & Anguilla (U) the toughest in the lower denominations.

-Thanks 'commems' for the positive feedback. I'd just like to point out that much of what I've written has been drawn from my personal experience living in Jamaica (1995-1996) & St. Lucia (1997) plus trying to assemble a collection of ECS currency over the past 3 years. Some of the manner in the way banknotes have been released is based on speculation (for example, in Canada we have had series overlap several times) & some comes from discussions/observations made by the local population.

It is also interesting to note how the SCWPM could not document currency unless it was reported to them. This provided a site like the banknote museum a distinct advantage in reporting notes that were missed earlier by the Krause publication.

If we look at the modified 1985-1988 (P-21 to P-25) corrected series (that included Anguilla in the map design) again, you will notice that this is the first time the ECS introduce the TEN DOLLAR denomination & that P-21a and P-21v ONE DOLLAR notes have asterisks. The * beside the $1.00 from Antigua & St. Vincent indicate that they were first MISSED by the SCWPM. These & the well-worn M (Montserrat) prefixed ONES can be tough to source so don't be surprised to see bidding wars for these revised designed notes in higher grades. Check out:
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c.../XCD0021.htm

There are also similar discrepancies & gaps in the larger denominations (so it pays to be on the look out for these).
The banknote museum is missing P-22m (Montserrat) for the FIVE DOLLARS & if you check out the link for this note, you will discover that images of well-worn notes are often the tough ones to source.

For P-23 TEN DOLLARS, I myself was first in search of a Dwight Venner note (from any island) but eventually settled for the 'Jacobs' signature pictured from St. Lucia (where I lived for a year). You will see that notes with the second signature are still missing for P-23g2 (Grenada) & P-23v2 (St. Vincent).

These 1980 series are attractive but only have a thin security strip. In 1993, the ECS must have felt compelled to up the ante in that regard since their new design has a much more complicated design. This is the year they first introduce the FIFTY DOLLAR denomination (P-29). The design employs the same portrait of QEII but the horizontal serial number gradually increases in size. Several of the design elements remain the same but they're just jostled around or re-positioned on the note, with design weaves and splashes of colour to create a bolder look. The one flaw is that the denomination marker (numeral) overlaps a patterned square. This makes the denomination tough to read (is that a $20 or $50) for those with visual impairments (or even in poor lighting). I had seen a few while living in St. Lucia and they were easy to mix up.

I posted a 1993 $2o from Anguilla on October 18th. Here is a cropped image of the same note:


They're not that difficult to find but their prices are steadily rising since they did last for only one short year (so demand outpaces supply).

The 1994 series also reviseD the design of the FIFTY DOLLARS (P-34) due to confusion with the colour scheme of this note with P-35 ($100). I remember my good friend cursing this note once as he had thought he had a $100 when in fact it was a $50 so they were very unpopular. Note that P-34m (6000 notes) from Montserrat were stolen & that the banknote museum lists this variation as likely not issued. I think this gives one a good appreciation how low the numbers of these notes can be in terms of # issued.
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c.../XCD0034.htm

I have to say that I have rarely seen high denominations on ebay for any of the Commonwealth island nations that include QEII but these ECS $20, $50 & $100 can be very tough to source (just as they are for Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman & early Trinidad). They were never that tough to find when I lived in the region (only tough to get in high grade so I never kept any).

Great information with wonderful examples.

More lovely examples.

These topics, like the one Commems created for the Bahamas, have provided me an opportunity to appreciate varied differences in otherwise similar banknote designs. I have come to appreciate them like I have the die varieties on coins.

Thanks @commems! It really feels gratifying if I can nudge collectors off the "collect whatever" hamster wheel & hopefully provide a little guidance. I have personally witnessed some amazing sets (with bonafide "trophy" notes) which were assembled by 2 Canadian expert collectors & if I can help someone define their collecting goal(s) then I'm good with that. I doubt I will ever be able to afford the notes I saw so I've tried to find niches that are affordable & I believe the ECS (& many QEII nations) would qualify.

Since starting this post in October 2021, I have since acquired a few target notes. Here is the first:

It is P-15g $20 from 1965 but released in the mid 1980's:



While you'd think that these would be plentiful (only being 40 years old) I have found them to be anything but! I have been on the look out for this note for 4 years & finally won the above note for a price that didn't break my bank account.