Guide to the European banknotes

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MS 5013

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: June 2016

Collection Summary

Title
Banknotes, mainly First World War
Date Range
1874; 1914-1918
Collection Number
MS 5013
Extent
.03 metres (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
NLA
Sponsor
The digitisation of the Library’s Currency Collection was made possible by the generous financial support of donors to the Banknotes and Currency Preservation Appeal (2015). The Library gratefully acknowledges this support.

Introduction

Scope and Contents

A small collection of First World War low denomination banknotes from Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Egypt together with an early banknote from the United States of America.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2921300).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

References

Standard catalogue of world paper money by Albert Pick, vol 2, c1990

Item Descriptions

United Kingdom one pound banknote, No. F/79 966259, [February 1917] (Item 1)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: third issue

Country: United kingdom

Denomination: one pound sterling

Issuing agency: His Majesty's Treasury

Domicile of issuer: London, UK

Issue date: [February 1917]

Serial number: F/79 No.966259

Signature/s: John Bradbury, Secretary to the Treasury

Overprinting: serial number in black

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - vignette of George V on right, St George and dragon on left; back - Palace of Westminster

Watermark: denomination in words

Physical description: dimensions - 150x84 mm; brown and green print on off white paper

Industry catalogue/number:Pick #110

United Kingdom ten shilling banknote, No. B/32 601761, [December 1918] (Item 2)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: third issue

Country: United kingdom

Denomination: ten shillings sterling

Issuing agency: His Majesty's Treasury

Domicile of issuer: London, UK

Issue date: [December 1918]

Serial number: B/32 601761

Signature/s: John Bradbury, Secretary to the Treasury

Overprinting: serial number in red

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - vignette of George V on right, St George and dragon on left; back - Palace of Westminster

Watermark: denomination in words plus 4 floral symbols of United Kingdom countries

Physical description: dimensions - 136x77 mm; green and black print on off white paper

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #109

United States fractional currency, ten cent banknote, 1874 (Item 3)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: fifth issue

Country: United States

Denomination: ten cents

Issuing agency: United States Treasury

Printer: Bureau of Engraving and PrintingDomicile of issuer: Washington D.C., United States

Issue date: 1874

Signature/s: John Allison, Register of the Treasury/ FE Spinner, Treasurer of the United States

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - bust of William M Meredith, Secretary of the Treasury, 1949-1850; back - cartouche with text 'This Note is Exchangeable for United States Notes By Assistant Treasurers And Designated Depositories Of The United States in the sums not less than Three Dollars. Receivable In Payment Of All Dues To The United States Less Than Five Dollars Except Customs. – Columbian Bank Note Co. Washington, D.C.'

Physical description: dimensions - 83x53 mm; black, red and green print on white paper

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #122b

Additional information

William Morris Meredith (June 8, 1799 – August 17, 1873) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury during President Zachary Taylor's Cabinet.

Egyptian Government currency banknote for five piastres, No. E/31 83033, 1 June 1918 (Item 4)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: all

Country: Egypt

Denomination: five piastres

Issuing agency: Egyptian Government

Printer: Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co.

Domicile of issuer: Cairo, Egypt

Issue date: 1 June 1918

Serial number: E/31 83033

Signature/s: Minister of Finance

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - camel caravan; back - two sphinxes facing centre

Physical description: dimensions - 98x60 mm; lilac-brown on green underprint, back blue

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #62

Additional information

In 1885 the gold standard became the basis for the Egyptian monetary system, the Egyptian gold pound. The pound was equal to 1.025 British Pounds Sterling and divisible into 100 Piastres. The National Bank of Egypt started issuing banknotes in April 1899 but they were not legal tender until 2 August 1914 when a special Decree was issued. Thus, the Egyptian monetary system changed from gold to fiduciary paper money standard. One of 201 notes issued.

Egyptian Government currency banknote for five piastres, No.G/278, 10 May 1918 (Item 5)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: all

Country: Egypt

Denomination: five piastres

Issuing agency: Egyptian Government

Printer: Survey of Egypt

Domicile of issuer: Cairo, Egypt

Issue date: 10 May 1918

Serial number: G/278

Signature/s: Minister of Finance

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Arabic script; back - temple ruins

Physical description: dimensions - 100x61 mm; lilac front, green back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #61

Additional information

In 1885 the gold standard became the basis for the Egyptian monetary system, the Egyptian gold pound. The pound was equal to 1.025 British Pounds Sterling and divisible into 100 Piastres. The National Bank of Egypt started issuing banknotes in April 1899 but they were not legal tender until 2 August 1914 when a special Decree was issued. Thus, the Egyptian monetary system changed from gold to fiduciary paper money standard.

Egyptian Government currency banknote for ten piastres, No. B/20 91629, 27 May 1917 (Item 6)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: all

Country: Egypt

Denomination: ten piastres

Issuing agency: Egyptian Government

Printer: Thos. De la Rue, London

Domicile of issuer: Cairo, Egypt

Issue date: 27 May 1917

Serial number: B/20 91629

Signature/s: Minister of Finance

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Arabic script; back - Colossi of Memnon

Physical description: dimensions - 122x70 mm; green print front, blue back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick P#60

Additional information

In 1885 the gold standard became the basis for the Egyptian monetary system, the Egyptian gold pound. The pound was equal to 1.025 British Pounds Sterling and divisible into 100 Piastres. The National Bank of Egypt started issuing banknotes in April 1899 but they were not legal tender until 2 August 1914 when a special Decree was issued. Thus, the Egyptian monetary system changed from gold to fiduciary paper money standard.

Banque de France ten franc banknote, No. F4500, 7 November 1917 (Item 7)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Type: Minerve

Country: France

Denomination: 10 (dix) francs

Issuing agency: Banque de France

Domicile of issuer: Paris, France

Issue date: 7 November 1917

Serial number: F4500

Signature/s: J Laferriere, Le Caissier Principal/ E Picard, Le Secretaire General

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - head of Minerva at left; back - seated farm woman

Watermark: head of Minerva at right

Physical description: dimensions - 138x89 mm; blue print on white paper

Industry catalogue/number: Pick P#6a

German State Loan currency note (Darlehenkassenscheine) for one mark, No.646-376019, 12 August 1914 (Item 8)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Germany

Denomination: 1 deutschmark

Issuing agency: Der Darlehenkassen

Domicile of issuer: Germany

Issue date: 12 August 1914

Serial number: 646-376019

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - denomination in two cartouches; back - Imperial eagle in central medallion

Watermark: repeated square pattern

Physical description: dimensions - 93x59 mm; black and green print on off white paper. Red serial number and seal.

Industry catalogue/number: Pick # 50

Belgian one franc banknote, issued by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. M3 177993, 16 October 1917 (Item 9)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: one franc ('een frank' on back)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 16 October 1917

Serial number: M3 177993

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 83x50 mm; lilac print on front, lilac and brown on back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #21

Additional information

Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.

Belgian one franc banknote, issued by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. N3 071096, 16 October 1917 (Item 10)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: one franc ('een frank' on back)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 16 October 1917

Serial number: N3 071096

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 83x50 mm; lilac print on front, lilac and brown on back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #21

Additional information

Historical significance Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.

Belgian one franc banknote, by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. R3 330281, 3 June 1917 (Item 11)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: one franc ('een frank' on back)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 3 June 1918

Serial number: R3 330281

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 83x50 mm; lilac print on front, lilac and brown on back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #21

Additional information

Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.

Belgian one franc banknote, issued by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. D3 006630, 2 October 1917 (Item 12)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: one franc ('een frank' on back)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 2 October 1917

Serial number: R3 330281

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 83x50 mm; lilac print on front, lilac and brown on back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #21

Additional information

Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.

Belgian one franc banknote, issued by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. W 921264, 27 July 1915 (Item 13)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: one franc ('een frank' on back)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 27 July 1915

Serial number: W 921264

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 83x50 mm; lilac print on front, lilac and brown on back

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #21

Additional information

Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.

Belgian two franc banknote, issued by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. F379454, 8 April 1915 (Item 14)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: two francs ('twee franks' on reverse)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 27 July 1915

Serial number: F379454

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 103x65 mm; brown print on blue underprint

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #22

Additional information

Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.

Belgian five franc banknote, issued by Societe Generale de Belgique, No. F789831, 22 May 1915 (Item 15)

Issue details

Category: banknote

Country: Belgium

Denomination: two francs ('twee franks' on reverse)

Issuing agency: Societe Generale de Belgique

Printer: Imp. B.N. de B.

Domicile of issuer: Brussels, Belgium

Issue date: 27 July 1915

Serial number: F789831

Signature/s: Serruys, Treasury Director/Jadot, Governor

Overprinting: date and serial number in green ink

Circulation status: issued

Illustrative content: front - Queen Louise-Marie at left; back - denomination in Walloon language

Watermark: zig-zag lines

Physical description: dimensions - 125x78 mm; green on grey underprint, back blue and green

Industry catalogue/number: Pick #23

Additional information

Societe Generale de Belgique was one of the largest companies ever in Belgium. Founded by William I in 1822, it periodically functioned as the Belgian national bank, including during the German occupation in WW1.


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