Collection PL

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Barbados’s paper-money history reflects its evolution from British colonial administration to an independent state with a nationally managed monetary and fiscal system. For much of the twentieth century, currency and short-term government obligations were issued within British West Indies frameworks and approved through colonial treasury channels, with design and production handled by specialist security printers. Specimens, proofs, and archival photographs were created in limited quantities as part of these internal approval and control processes and survive today primarily through later archival dispersals.

Independence and the establishment of the Central Bank of Barbados in the early 1970s marked a structural shift from regional monetary arrangements to a fully national system anchored by the Barbados dollar (BBD). Alongside circulating notes, the government continued to rely on high-denomination Treasury Bills for internal liquidity management, accounting reference, and fiscal control. These instruments, often never intended for circulation, form a parallel documentary record of state finance.

A focused institutional overview of this system — including Treasury Bill specimens, photographic proofs, control material, and fiscal reference instruments — is explored in the Barbados Treasury Bills Spotlight , which examines how these instruments were designed, authorized, and used internally under the Treasury Bills Local Act framework.

The material presented here emphasizes that institutional record rather than circulation alone: rare archival photographs documenting unissued designs, printer and treasury specimens of exceptional denominations, and internal reference pieces spanning the colonial and post-independence periods. Together, they trace how Barbados’s fiscal instruments were designed, authorized, handled, and ultimately preserved. Use the filters above to explore the collection by type or year as this section continues to expand with additional proofs, specimens, and issued material.

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Barbados 1943 Government of Barbados 100 Dollars unissued banknote design, front and back archival photographs, PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated

Barbados 1943 — Government of Barbados 100 Dollars, Front and Back Archival Photograph

This item consists of a matched pair of archival photographic prints documenting the front and back designs of an unissued 100 Dollars banknote for Barbados, dated 1943 and produced under British colonial administration. The photographs record a complete banknote design that did not proceed to production or circulation and survive as internal visual documentation rather than monetary instruments. The front design carries the formal issuer heading Government of Barbados and presents a complete engraved layout including denomination panels, ornamental framing, and portraiture of King George the Sixth. ... Read more →

BarbadosArchival Photograph1943100 DollarsPMG 65 Gem Uncirculated Archival PhotographUnissued Banknote DesignPick Unlisted100 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosBritish Colonial AdministrationKing George VIBradbury WilkinsonBWCDesign of Pick 6PMG 65Wartime Currency DesignCaribbean Monetary HistoryBritish West IndiesSecurity Printing HistoryPublic Finance HistoryBarbados1943Museum GradeR9 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1959 Government of Barbados Treasury Bill photographic proof showing early legal wording, distinct border layout, prefix letter A, and handwritten archival date 13-7-59

Barbados 1959 — Government of Barbados Treasury Bill, Photographic Proof (Early Design Stage)

This photographic proof records an early design form of a Government of Barbados Treasury Bill prepared under the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922. The proof differs materially in wording, layout, and structure from later issued and specimen Treasury Bills, and represents an earlier design stage within the Barbados treasury bill system. The front displays the full issuer heading “Government of Barbados Treasury Bill” and a legal obligation clause stating payment “to bearer out of the General Revenue and Assets of Barbados.” This formulation is not identical to the wording used on later Treasury Bills and bearer instruments, where the obligation language is more compact and standardized. ... Read more →

BarbadosPhotographic Proof1959UniquePMG 64 Uncirculated Photographic ProofTreasury BillGovernment of BarbadosFiscal PaperSovereign Debt InstrumentSecurity PrintingDesign ArchiveEarly Design StagePick UnlistedBarbados1959Caribbean Fiscal HistoryHistory of Public FinanceSecurity Printing HistoryHistoryPMG 64Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1968 Government of Barbados 500 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with prefix A0000 and double perforated CANCELLED cancellation in the lower right corner

Barbados 1968 — Government of Barbados 500 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Perforated Cancelled, Prefix A

Specimen Treasury Bill issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922, produced for internal reference and administrative control rather than circulation or fiscal settlement. The document carries a printed denomination of five hundred dollars and defines an obligation payable out of the Consolidated Fund at any commercial bank in Barbados or at the Treasury. The place of issue is identified as Bridgetown, confirming its role within the central administrative framework of the Barbadian state. ... Read more →

BarbadosSpecimen1968500 DollarsUncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill500 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPerforated CANCELLEDDouble Perforated CancellationPrefix ASerial A0000Pick UnlistedHandwritten AnnotationDated 1968Caribbean Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsSecurity Printing HistoryPublic Finance HistoryHistoryBarbados1968PMG 58Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1980 Government of Barbados 500 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, two punch hole cancellations, and no prefix or serial number

Barbados 1980 — Government of Barbados 500 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Red Overprint, No Prefix

This Treasury Bill specimen was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and represents a non-circulating fiscal instrument prepared for internal treasury reference and archival retention. The denomination of five hundred dollars reflects a lower-tier value within the Barbados Treasury Bill structure, intended for routine accounting and liquidity operations rather than high-value treasury settlements. The note is printed in a multicolour engraved security design, framed by an ornate guilloche border and filled with a dense repeating “Government of Barbados” underprint across the entire face. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill1980500 DollarsPMG 58 Choice About New SpecimenTreasury Bill500 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCRed OverprintPunch CancelledNo PrefixNo Serial NumberPick UnlistedBarbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1980PMG 64Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1960 Government 1000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with prefix B, four-digit zero serial format, printed numbering trial line, handwritten date 2/5/60, and two large punch hole cancellations in the signature area

Barbados 1960 — Government of Barbados 1,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Punch Hole Cancelled, Prefix B

Specimen Treasury Bill issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922, prepared as a non-circulating reference instrument for internal administrative and archival use. The bill is denominated at one thousand dollars and sets out an obligation payable to bearer out of the General Revenue and Assets of Barbados, reflecting the earlier legal wording also observed on the photographic proof and preceding later standardized Treasury Bill formulations. The place of issue, Bridgetown, is included within the printed layout, confirming its issuance within the central administrative framework of Barbados. ... Read more →

BarbadosSpecimen19601,000 DollarsUncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill1000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPunch CancelledPrefix BSerial Format B0000Pick UnlistedPrinted Numbering TrialHandwritten AnnotationDated 1960Barbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1960Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1960 Government of Barbados 5,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with prefix C, printed serial range C0001–1234–C0400, handwritten reference of 129766 dated 2/5/60, and two punch hole cancellations

Barbados 1960 — Government of Barbados 5,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Punch Hole Cancelled, Prefix C

This specimen Treasury Bill was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and prepared as a non-circulating reference instrument for internal administrative, accounting, and archival use. The bill is denominated at five thousand dollars and sets out an obligation payable to bearer out of the General Revenue and Assets of Barbados. This bearer formulation reflects the earlier legal wording employed on Treasury Bills of this period and differs from the later “payable to order” language introduced on subsequent issues. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill19605,000 DollarsUncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill5000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPunch CancelledPrefix CSerial Format C0000Pick UnlistedPrinted Numbering TrialHandwritten AnnotationDated 1960Barbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1960Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1980 Government of Barbados 5,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, prefix C serial C000000, and single punch hole cancellation

Barbados 1980 — Government of Barbados 5,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Red Overprint, Punch Hole Cancelled, Prefix C

This Treasury Bill specimen was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and represents a non-circulating fiscal instrument prepared for internal reference, accounting control, and archival purposes. The note is denominated at five thousand dollars and forms part of the upper range of Barbados Treasury Bill denominations, distinct from the extreme high-value issues produced for exceptional treasury requirements. The note is printed in the official multicolour security design, featuring an ornate guilloche frame and a dense repeating “Government of Barbados” background pattern across the entire face. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill19805,000 DollarsPMG 63 Choice Uncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill5000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCRed OverprintPunch CancelledPrefix CSerial Format C000000Pick UnlistedSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledBarbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1980PMG 63Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1960 Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with prefix D, printed serial range D0001–1234–D0400, handwritten date 2/5/60, and two punch hole cancellations

Barbados 1960 — Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Punch Hole Cancelled, Prefix D

This specimen Treasury Bill was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and prepared as a non-circulating reference instrument for internal administrative, accounting, and archival use. The bill is denominated at ten thousand dollars and sets out an obligation payable to bearer out of the General Revenue and Assets of Barbados. This bearer formulation reflects the earlier legal wording employed on Treasury Bills of this period and predates the later standardized “payable to order” language adopted on subsequent issues. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill196010,000 DollarsUncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill10000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPunch CancelledPrefix DSerial Format D0000Pick UnlistedPrinted Numbering TrialHandwritten AnnotationDated 1960Barbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1960Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1980 Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, prefix D zero serial D000000, and single punch hole cancellation

Barbados 1980 — Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Red Overprint, Punch Hole Cancelled, Prefix D

This Treasury Bill specimen was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and represents a high-value, non-circulating fiscal instrument prepared for internal reference, audit control, and archival retention. The denomination of ten thousand dollars places this note within the upper tier of Barbados Treasury Bills, intended for substantial treasury operations rather than routine fiscal use. The note is printed in a multicolour engraved security design with an ornate guilloche frame and a dense repeating “Government of Barbados” underprint covering the entire face. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill198010,000 DollarsPCGS 58 Choice About New SpecimenTreasury Bill10000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCRed OverprintPunch CancelledPrefix DSerial Format D000000Pick UnlistedSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledBarbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1980PMG 58Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1980 Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with punch hole cancellation, no prefix, and no serial number

Barbados 1980 — Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Punch Hole Cancelled, No Prefix

This Treasury Bill specimen was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and represents a non-circulating fiscal instrument prepared for internal treasury reference and archival retention. The denomination of ten thousand dollars reflects a high-value obligation within the Barbados Treasury Bill structure, intended for significant accounting and liquidity operations rather than routine fiscal use. The note is printed in a refined multicolour engraved security design, framed by an ornate guilloche border and filled with a dense repeating “Government of Barbados” underprint across the entire face. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill198010,000 DollarsPCGS 64 Very Choice New SpecimenTreasury Bill10000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPunch CancelledNo PrefixNo Serial NumberPick UnlistedBarbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1980PMG 64Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1960 Government of Barbados 50,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with prefix E, printed serial range E0001–1234–E0400, handwritten date 2/5/60, and two punch hole cancellations

Barbados 1960 — Government of Barbados 50,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Punch Hole Cancelled, Prefix E

This specimen Treasury Bill was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and prepared as a non-circulating reference instrument for internal administrative, accounting, and archival use. The bill is denominated at fifty thousand dollars and sets out an obligation payable to bearer out of the General Revenue and Assets of Barbados. This bearer formulation reflects the earlier legal wording employed on Treasury Bills of this period and predates the later standardized “payable to order” language adopted on subsequent issues. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill196050,000 DollarsUncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill50000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPunch CancelledPrefix ESerial Format E0000Pick UnlistedPrinted Numbering TrialHandwritten AnnotationDated 1960Barbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1960Museum GradeR8 Extremely Rare
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Barbados 1975 Government of Barbados 50,000 Dollars Treasury Bill specimen with perforated SPECIMEN marking, zero serial F000000, atypical prefix F for denomination, extensive top-margin administrative annotations dated 6.6.75, and no punch hole cancellation

Barbados 1975 — Government of Barbados 50,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Perforated SPECIMEN, Prefix F (Atypical for Denomination)

This Treasury Bill specimen was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and represents a non-circulating internal specimen retained for treasury control, audit reference, and archival purposes. The denomination of fifty thousand dollars places this bill among the highest-value Treasury Bills produced for Barbados. While 50,000-dollar Treasury Bills are normally associated with prefix E, this specimen carries prefix F, documenting a distinct internal serial configuration used for this specific control issue. ... Read more →

BarbadosTreasury Bill197550,000 DollarsPMG 53 About Uncirculated SpecimenTreasury Bill50000 DollarsGovernment of BarbadosTreasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922Bradbury WilkinsonBWCPerforated SPECIMENPrefix FAtypical PrefixSerial Format F000000Administrative AnnotationDated 1975Barbados Fiscal HistoryGovernment Debt InstrumentsPublic Finance HistorySecurity Printing HistoryBarbados1975PMG 53Museum GradeR8 Extremely RarePick Unlisted
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