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Auction: 23009 - World Banknotes
Lot: 103

Government of Gibraltar, [Top Pop] £1 = 1 Libra, 6 August 1914, serial number B059283, The extremely rare and attractive £1 banknote from the 1914 series B emergency issues of Gibraltar's currency. Featuring the printed signature of the Colonial Treasurer Alfred Craven Greenwood, and pleasing green and blue hues. This unique note holds a remarkable place in Gibraltar's financial history, set against the backdrop of the First World War. In response to the outbreak of war, Gibraltar found itself compelled to issue a special series of banknotes; a strategic move aimed at safeguarding its precious sterling and gold reserves from potential depletion. The issuance was authorised under the emergency war legislation known as Ordinance 10 of 1914. These banknotes, coexisting with those of the British territory at the time, assumed pivotal role during a period of financial instability. Distinguished by its distinct physical attributes, this note stands out as notably smaller than its emergency counterparts, boasting a delicately engraved design.

Each of these notes carries the emblematic embossed seal of the Anglo-Egyptian Bank Limited. This ornate seal proudly showcases the iconic three-towered oat of arms of Gibraltar, accompanied by a skeleton key and the Latin motto "Montis Insignia Calpe", which translates to 'the symbol of the Rock of Gibraltar'/

This circulated note is a rare find, conspicuously absent from renowned collections, including the prestigious Ibrahim Saleem collection. Today, we are thrilled to present this extremely rare note at auction. Remarkably, only two examples of this note have undergone grading by PMG. This note stands as the finest among the three we have traced. Highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, it encapsulates an exceptional piece of Gibraltar's financial heritage
(Pick 8, BNB B108a), in PMG holder 35 Choice Very Fine, a lovely early Gibraltar note with less than handful issued notes known. Extremely rare in this grade

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Sold for
£4,500

Starting price
£2800