Banknotes Featuring Queen Elizabeth II: A Complete Guide to Start Your Collection

Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on banknotes in 1935, as an 8-year-old princess on the Canadian $20 note, based on a photograph by Marcus Adams. This marked the beginning of her global presence in numismatics, extending throughout the British Empire and the Commonwealth. Following her accession to the throne in 1952, her portrait was updated in numerous countries, reflecting changes in her appearance and artistic styles.

Wax statue at Madame Tussauds museum. London.

Portraits evolved over time:

  • Childhood and youth (1930s-1950s) : Innocent portraits, such as that of a girl in Canada, or young people based on photos by Dorothy Wilding (1952), showing a queen in her 20s with a tiara and jewels.
  • Mature period (1960s-1980s) : Designs by Arnold Machin (1960s), with crown and mantle, used in the UK and elsewhere. Later, more natural portraits by Anthony Buckley (1980s), without royal adornments.
  • Old Age (1990s-2020s) : Modern images, such as those by Chris Levine (holographic in Jersey 2003) or Jody Clark (2010s), capturing a monarch in her 80s and 90s in polymer.

With the independence of colonies after World War II, some countries gradually removed his image, but others kept it until his death. Today, banknotes bearing his portrait continue to circulate in places like the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, although they are replaced by those of Charles III. For collectors, these banknotes represent imperial history, art, and economic value, with rare pieces appreciating by up to 20% annually, according to sites like Numista.

Why Collectors Love Banknotes Featuring Queen Elizabeth II

Collecting Queen Elizabeth II banknotes combines nostalgia, history, and investment potential. Her presence on continents other than Antarctica reflects the reach of the Commonwealth. Motifs include:

  • Historical value : Banknotes from defunct colonies like Rhodesia capture eras of independence.
  • Artistic diversity : 31 identified portraits, from children to elderly, with variations in engravings.
  • Rarity : Limited issues, such as the Zambian essay (unissued), or printing errors, drive up prices. A Rhodesian UNC banknote can be worth hundreds of euros.

To optimize your collection, focus on complete series by country, prioritizing uncirculated (UNC) condition. Purchase Queen Elizabeth banknotes from professional sites like Iberoamericana Banknotes. Verify authenticity with PMG certificates.

Now, let's review all the banknotes by country/territory, based on historical series.

Banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II by Country: A Comprehensive Review

Australia

Australia issued banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II in the pre-decimal era (1953-1965). The portraits were of young women, based on Wilding's portrait.

  • £1 (1953-1965): Young Elizabeth II with tiara.
  • £5, £10 (1954-1965): Similar, with early mature portraits. From 1966 (decimal), his portrait was not included on banknotes, only on coins. Collectible due to their transitional nature.

Bahamas

Part of Eastern Caribbean initially, independent broadcasts since 1965.

  • $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 (1965-present): Portraits from youth (1960s) to maturity (1990s). Still circulating.

Belize (including British Honduras)

Like British Honduras until 1973, then Belize.

  • $1 to $100 (1953-present): Wilding (1950s) and Machin (1960s-1970s) portraits. Still in use.

Bermuda

Emissions since 1952.

  • $1 to $100 (1952-present): Assorted portraits, from young to elderly, on polymer. Present.

British Caribbean Territories

Defunct entity (1950-1965), covering several islands.

  • 5s to $100 (1953-1964): Young Elizabeth II.

British Honduras (see Belize)

Deceased, precursor of Belize.

Canada

First global appearance.

  • $20 (1935): As an 8-year-old girl.
  • 1954 Series: $1 to $1000, post-coronation young portrait.
  • Later series (1969-2011): Buckley Mature Portraits. $20 (2012) with elderly. Still in circulation until replaced.

Cayman Islands

Since 1971.

  • $1 to $100 (1971-present): Machin and later portraits.

Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

Deceased name, issues 1952-1970s.

  • 1 to 100 rupees (1952-1960s): Young portrait.

Cyprus

Emissions 1955-1961.

  • £1, £5 (1955): Young Elizabeth II.

East African Currency Board

Defunta (until 1966), for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.

  • 5 to 100 shillings (1958-1964): Portrait of a young man.

Eastern Caribbean States

Since 1965, for several islands.

  • $1 to $100 (1965-present): Portraits from Machin to Clark. Recent polymer with elderly.

Falkland Islands

Since 1969.

  • £1 to £50 (1969-present): Assorted Portraits.

Fiji

Until 2012.

  • $1 to $100 (1969-2012): Mature Portraits. Removed after republic.

Gibraltar

Since 1958.

  • £1 to £100 (1958-present): Portraits of young people to elderly people.

Great Britain (Bank of England)

First in 1960.

  • £1 (1960-1978): Machin.
  • Later series: £5 to £50 (until 2022), with upgrades to Clark. Co-circulated with Carlos III.

Guernsey

Since 1969.

  • £1 to £50 (1969-present): Assorted Portraits.

Hong Kong

Until 1997.

  • 1 cent to $1000 (1952-1997): Portraits from young to mature. Removed after transfer to China.

Isle of Man

Since 1961.

  • £1 to £50 (1961-present): Includes Tyvek 1983, the first polymer with it.

Jamaica

Until 1969, then sporadic.

  • £1 to £10 (1953-1960s): Youth. Phased out.

Jersey

Since 1963.

  • £1 to £100 (1963-present): Includes holographic 2003.

Malaysia

Including Malaya and British Borneo (defunct).

  • $1 to $10000 (1953-1960s): Young people.

Malta

Until 1972.

  • £1, £5 (1961-1967): Young People.

Mauricio

Until 1967.

  • 5 to 50 rupees (1954-1967): Youth.

New Zealand

Since 1956.

  • £1 to £100 (1956-1967 pre-decimal); $1 to $100 (1967-present): Portraits from Wilding to Clark. Still in use.

Rhodesia and Nyasaland (deceased, now Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe)

1956-1963.

  • £1 to £10 (1956): Young People.

Rhodesia (deceased, now Zimbabwe)

1964-1980.

  • $1 to $10 (1964-1970s): Machin.

Saint Helena

Since 1976.

  • £1 to £20 (1976-present): Mature Portraits.

Scotland (Royal Bank of Scotland)

Since 1969.

  • £1 to £100 (1969-present): Assorted Portraits.

Seychelles

Until 1976.

  • 5 to 100 rupees (1954-1976): Youth.

Solomon Islands

Until 1977.

  • $2 to $20 (1977): Mature.

Southern Rhodesia (deceased, Zimbabwe)

1952-1955.

  • £1 to £10 (1952): Young People.

Trinidad and Tobago

Until 1964.

  • $1 to $100 (1964): Youth.

Zambia (essay only, not aired)

Non-circulating design with his portrait.

Tips for Banknote Collectors Featuring Queen Elizabeth II

Start with affordable sets like Canadian series. If you're buying rare banknotes and don't have much experience, it's best to get certified ones. Store them in acid-free sleeves. Look for portrait variations to complete different designs over time.

The Legacy of Banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II

These banknotes preserve the era of Queen Elizabeth II, from her childhood to her rise as a global icon. Featuring defunct countries like Rhodesia, they offer a glimpse into the imperial past. Explore and collect this numismatic treasure. Share your finds with other members of Iberoamericana Banknotes!

This blog is designed for the collector community, and we learn together every day. If you find any errors or would like to contribute additional information, please email us. We will review your contribution and update the content if necessary. Thank you for being part of this community.

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