This listing is for the photographed Rare 1943 Central Bank of Ireland 1 Pound Sterling Punt Lady Lavery Banknote. Issued on March 3rd, 1943, during the first print run of Special Identification Markings (SIM) or "War Codes" with the letter "G" printed on the note. These war code notes are highly sought after and rare finds, especially "G" issue notes, as they were the very first notes issued with these codes. This note is part of the "Lady Lavery" series of Irish banknotes, as identified by the portrait of Lady Hazel Lavery on the left end of the obverse. More information on this note below. Choice Very Fine (VF+) grade/condition, some visible folds and signs of circulation, in great condition for these notes! P#2 (Pick Number 2).
Lady Lavery banknotes were first issued in 1928 and circulated for 67 years until they were replaced in 1995. The figure of Lady Lavery was created to symbolize the Irish state, being adapted from a portrait of the Irishwoman Lady Hazel Lavery. Smaller denominations of the note depict only her head and shoulders, whereas larger denominations depict the entire portrait of her resting on a harp. On the reverse of these notes Irish river masks are depicted as a nod to the rivers of Ireland, each denomination portraying a different river spirit. The one-pound notes depict the River Lee mask.
Starting in 1940 with the increased dangers presented to Ireland due to World War II, the Central Bank of Ireland began to print their banknotes with Special Identification Markings (SIMs), more commonly known as "War Codes" in order to keep track of the production and shipment of their banknotes as they travelled from their production house in England to Ireland. These codes allowed the bank to easily identify any notes that were lost in transit due to war actions or theft and promptly warn citizens not to use any notes with the said lost code printed on them, as they would likely have been tampered with. The codes printed on the notes changed with each new print run, making it easier for the bank to keep track of the exact number of notes produced under each code. War code notes stopped being printed in January of 1945, and by the time the Allied forces had one the war the notes were discontinued.
Extremely interesting and very rare note with a rich history, a must have for any collection!
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RARE 1943 Central Bank of Ireland 1 Pound Note - WWII War Code "G" - Lady Lavery Type - 1943 Irish War Code G One Pound Punt Note - P#2
