The Government $1 turned green in 1949 and, unlike the earlier purple and blue George VI types, carried a printed issue date. Catalogued as Pick 324, it is known as the “Green Emperor” (綠皇). Two dates are established: 9 April 1949 and 1 January 1952.
綠皇 is the last of the George VI nickname notes in the Government $1 sequence. Its printed dates also make the two varieties easier to place historically than the undated prewar and immediate postwar colours.
Two dates, two signatures
The 9 April 1949 note bears the signature of Financial Secretary C. G. Fellows; the 1 January 1952 note bears that of Arthur Grenfell Clarke. Catalogues usually separate them as P-324a and P-324b. Both preserve the same portrait and general design, so the printed date and signature provide the practical distinction.
Design, circulation and paper
Bradbury Wilkinson printed the notes in the established 126 × 79 mm format. The bilingual titles, engraved borders and reverse value panels continue the family resemblance of the series. These $1 notes passed repeatedly through market-stall change and were often washed; original paper carrying an EPQ designation remains scarce.
Collector’s perspective
- P-324a is dated 9 April 1949 and P-324b 1 January 1952.
- Even colour, a legible date and an undisturbed paper surface are useful condition markers.
- The next Government $1 issue introduced Elizabeth II on 1 July 1952.