...Solomon Islands - $10 & $20 ND1984 Specimen Prints s. Anthony V Hughes & Philip Panjuboe

Solomon Islands

Central Bank of Solomon Islands

(since 1983)

Currency : Dollar (SBD)

Posted here are two specimen notes both issued in 1984. These are the last two notes printed with the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth the Second. The portrait depicted on these two notes was taken by Anthony Buckley in 1962 when the Queen was 36 years old. In 1984, the Queen was 58 years old (b.1926).

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands was previously known as Solomon Islands Monetary Authority (SIMA) and was established in June 1976 when the parliament passed the Solomon Islands Monetary Authority Ordinance Act. In October 1977, SIMA launched its first series of banknotes of $2, $5, $10 and $20 all depicting the portrait of Queen Elizabeth. Prior to that, all banknotes were issued by the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance department. However prior to gaining independence, Australian dollars were the official currency circulating in the country. 

The first SIMA board comprises five directors, namely - John G Palfrey (Chairman), Gordan Siama, Jezreel Korinihona, Anthony V Hughes, Stephen Yee, and Richard Tinoni (Secretary). The board members were appointed by the then Minister of Finance Benedict Kinika.

In 1983, under the Act of Parliament, SIMA changed its name to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) with added powers and responsibilities.

These two notes that I have posted here were the first notes issued under the new name of CBSI. These two notes were actually reprints from the 1977 series, which were issued under the bank's old name. Both notes have the signatures of Anthony V Hughes (Governor) and one other director. I have no idea who the other person is. As these notes were printed in 1984, obviously Anthony Hughes was then promoted to the Governor role. His signature also appeared on the 1986 series of banknotes too.

Both notes are printed, not once but twice with the word 'SPECIMEN' on the front and on the back.

Anthony V Hughes (not sure what the letter 'V' stands for - Vance, Vaughn, Victor, Vincent?), a Law graduate from Oxford University, was born in England in 1939 and came to Solomon Islands in 1961 together with his wife. Upon his arrival, he worked as a civil servant mainly related to land tenure, land administration and town planning. In 1976 he was appointed as the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance.

It is interesting that based on my observations, many banknotes of the British former colonies in the Pacific region issued in the 60s, 70s and the early 80s, where many of the bank governors were British subjects or seconded from the Bank of England in the United Kingdom. For example, have a look at those signatures on banknotes issued in Fiji and Vanuatu around these periods and you will know what I mean.

Signatures

Governor - Anthony V Hughes

Director - Philip Panjuboe

Dimensions

$10 - 150mm x 80mm

$20 - 155mm x 85mm

Ten Dollars Specimen

nd1984, portrait of Queen Elizabeth the Second (aged 36)

Reverse - woman weaving

Twenty Dollars Specimen

nd1984, portrait of Queen Elizabeth the Second (aged 36)

Reverse - group of warriors performing ceremony dance

Footnote👌

In my opinion, these are considered large size notes and it is always nice to collect them.