Date: 1919 (April 15-27)

Description:

Extremely rare Limerick Soviet Five Shillings Note – Type A1

• Printed in Black & Green inks, on Grey-blue paper.
• Signed by John Cronin (Chairman) and James Casey (Treasurer).

Notes:

There are five Types of Limerick Soviet notes, as follows:

• A1. Signatures John Cronin, Chairman; James Casey, Treasurer. Notes Stamped and Numbered.
  • This is the standard issue note.
• B. Signed as the signatories but by persons other than the signatories. Notes Stamped and Numbered.
  • This is likely a ‘souvenir’ note.
• C. Signed as the signatories but by persons other than the signatories. Notes Stamped but not numbered.
  • This is likely a ‘souvenir’ note.
• D. Numbered and Stamped, but not signed.
  • Possibly un-issued notes awaiting signatures which were kept as souvenirs after the end of the note issue.
• E. Signed backwards by a single person as James Casey, Chairman; John Cronin, Treasurer.
  • Numbered and Stamped. Possibly another souvenir, created by someone ‘signing up’ a Type D note.

Further Information:

• O’Brien Rare Banknote Review: – The Limerick “Soviet” of 1919

Additional Reading:

• The Limerick Soviet of 1919 is part of a hidden history of Ireland (The Journal.ie)
• When Limerick workers seized the city – for two weeks (The Irish Times)
• The Limerick Soviet Festival 100 (Limerick Soviet Centenary Committee & Socialist Party)