Description and research notes
Unissued remainder from the earliest Mauritius Commercial Bank dual-currency series, printed by Myers Frs. & Co., London.
This note represents the archival stock of the 1840s issue — printed but never signed or circulated. It carries the same engraving and layout as the fully issued 1842 notes, showing the Port Louis harbor with moored ships, warehouses, and the classical bank building in the background.
By 1843, the design had evolved to include the distinctive red reverse overprint stating 'TWO POUNDS STERLING', establishing a formal dual-currency layout. Earlier issues, such as the 1839 $20 note, printed the sterling value directly on the front instead. This refinement allowed easier reconciliation with British accounts and marked the final iteration before the dollar series was retired.
The period ink burn visible on some remainders comes from iron gall annotations applied during internal bank recording — a hallmark of early banking documentation. This example, graded PMG 50 NET About Uncirculated, is among the best-preserved survivors and illustrates the artistic and economic transition of Mauritius under early British administration.