5 pounds 1975

Common. The Gibraltar £5 1975 (Pick P-21a) was the first banknote issue of the Government of Gibraltar and had a substantial print run to meet circulation demands across the territory. No significant information suggests limited production, early recall, or scarcity in the market. Banknotes in this grade appear regularly in dealer inventories and at reasonable market prices, indicating robust supply. The note is historically important as the inaugural issue but not rare in terms of availability.

Issued on 20th November 1975 under the Currency Note Ordinance Cap 39, this banknote represents Gibraltar's assertion of monetary independence during a period of significant political developments regarding the territory's status. The prominent depiction of Queen Elizabeth II reflects Gibraltar's Commonwealth affiliation, while the Rock of Gibraltar landmark and civic building imagery emphasize local sovereignty and governmental authority over the territory's finances.

The obverse features a formal right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a tiara, necklace, and formal regalia, positioned on the right side of the note. To the left, a vignette depicts the Rock of Gibraltar, the distinctive limestone promontory that dominates the territory's landscape and serves as a national symbol. The design incorporates ornate decorative elements including scrollwork and floral patterns in green and brown tones with cream coloring. The note displays the Government of Gibraltar coat of arms featuring a castle fortification design, reinforcing governmental authority. The reverse showcases a detailed architectural engraving of a Victorian Gothic-style government or civic building with characteristic features including arched doorways, multiple chimneys, ornate roofline detailing, and precision brick rendering. Large £5 denomination numerals appear in opposite corners with decorative flourishes, framed by scalloped border patterns in green and teal. The entire design reflects classical British banknote aesthetic traditions executed by De La Rue.

{"frontSide":{"inscriptions":[{"original":"ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR","translation":"Issued by the Government of Gibraltar"},{"original":"UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE CURRENCY NOTE ORDINANCE CAP 39.","translation":"Under authority of the Currency Note Ordinance Cap 39"},{"original":"FIVE POUNDS","translation":"Five Pounds"},{"original":"GIBRALTAR.","translation":"Gibraltar"},{"original":"20th Nov. 1975","translation":"20th November 1975 (date of issue)"},{"original":"E000064","translation":"Serial number E000064"},{"original":"CURRENCY NOTES ARE LEGAL TENDER IN GIBRALTAR FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT","translation":"Currency notes are legal tender in Gibraltar for the payment of any amount"},{"original":"FINANCIAL AND DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY","translation":"Financial and Development Secretary (authorizing official title)"}]},"backSide":{"inscriptions":[{"original":"FIVE POUNDS","translation":"Five Pounds"},{"original":"5","translation":"5 (denomination numeral)"}]},"printerAttribution":{"original":"THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED","translation":"Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited (security printer)"}}

The note employs intaglio (engraved) printing techniques, evidenced by the fine line engraving work, complex background patterns, ornate scrollwork, and detailed architectural rendering visible throughout both sides. The precision cross-hatching used in the building rendering on the reverse and the intricate security features including fine line work demonstrate professional currency-grade engraving. Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited, one of the world's foremost security printers, produced this note using their established multi-color intaglio printing methods with careful registration and quality control.

This specimen exhibits serial number E000064, representing an early-run note from the issuance. The 'E' prefix on the serial number is consistent with the first series of 1975 Gibraltar £5 notes. No known varieties such as signature variants, overprints, or significant design modifications are documented for Pick P-21a. The date '20th Nov. 1975' on all specimens of this type remains constant. The low serial number (000064) is notable for collectors seeking early-run examples, though this does not constitute a distinct variety per se.