Guide to the European banknotes
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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.