Date: 1943

Central Bank of Ireland, Ten Shillings, Type 4b (War Codes added). Signed by Joseph Brennan / James J. McElligott. War Code = M (in grey ink) and dated 5th June 1943.

Description:

Central Bank of Ireland, Ten Shillings, Type 3e (War Codes added). Signed by Joseph Brennan / James J. McElligott. War Code = M (in grey ink) and dated 5th June 1943.

• Designer: John Harrison, Chief Portrait Engraver of Waterlow and Sons Ltd, London
• Engraved and printed by Waterlow & Sons, on Portal’s paper, in London
• Size: 78mm x 138mm
  • Known Dates: 7
    
  • 8-MAY-1943, 19-MAY-1943, 5-JUN-1943, 26-JUN-1943, 9-JUL-1943, 28-JUL-1943, 10-AUG-1943

Obverse:

• Dual Language titles:
  • Central Bank of Ireland
  • Banc Ceannais na hÉireann
• Oval panel to the left, with an archetypal Irish Cailín (Girl) as the central theme
  • Allegedly based on a Lady Hazel Lavery portrait (Head and shoulders only)
    • These notes are colloquially referred to as the ‘Lady Lavery’ series
• Denonomination:
  • ’10/-‘ in all four corners of an ornate frame
  • Text ‘TEN SHILLINGS’ on the left and right hand sides of the frame
  • Panels at bottom, with dual language text:
    • TEN SHILLINGS STERLING | PAYABLE TO BEARER | ON DEMAND IN LONDON
• In-line S/N: 59G 014918
• Emergency Tracer Overprint Codes (the so-called ‘War Codes’) added
• Two signatories:
  • Joseph Brennan
    • Governor (title change)
    • An Gobharnóir  (title change)
      
  • James J. McElligott
    • Secretary of the Department of Finance
    • Rúnaí na Roinne Airgid
• Watermark:
  • Head of Erin

Reverse:

• Ornate rectangular frame, with River Blackwater mask in ornate centre panel

Note: Centered in an ornamental design is a so-called River Mask, which can be found on the façade of the Dublin Custom House. The masks represent various rivers in Ireland, and were designed by the sculptor Edward Smythe.

Country:

• Ireland

Category:

• Modern Irish Banknotes
  • Central Bank of Ireland
    • Ten Shillings
    • Type 4b

Further Reading:

• Blog Post: The Transition from Irish Joint-Stock Bank Issues to Central Bank of Ireland Banknotes (1922-1943)
• Blog Post: The Currency Commission of Ireland
• Link: The Currency Act, 1927

Books & Catalogues (Irish Banknotes & Paper Money)

• Irish Banknotes, Irish Paper Money 1783-2005
  • Martin MacDevitt, Meath Ireland (2005)
• Paper Money of Ireland – the definitive guide to Irish banknotes
  • Bob Blake & Jonathan Callaway (West, 2009)
• Irish Banknotes – Irish Government Paper Money From 1928
  • Martin MacDevitt (1999)
• Consolidated Banknotes of Ireland
  • Derek Young (1974)
• Legal Tender Banknotes
  • Derek Young (1972)