1 pound 1960

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales of this note type across all condition grades from 2009 through 2025, with UNC examples regularly selling in the $6-26 range and an abundance of lower-grade specimens trading for $1-5. The 2019 catalog value lists UNC at $15, consistent with observed market activity. The high volume of sales transactions across multiple condition grades and time periods confirms this was a large-print-run regular issue with no scarcity factors.

This note was issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and represents a significant period in British monetary history following the 1960 design introduction. The imagery—featuring Elizabeth II's profile and the classical allegorical figure of Britannia with her trident and shield—reflects Britain's post-war identity and the continuity of the monarchy as a central symbol of national governance during the Cold War era.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in right profile, positioned within an ornate circular frame with a scalloped decorative border on the right side of the note. Large ornamental numerals '1' appear in decorative circular frames at the left and right edges. The reverse displays Britannia, the classical female allegorical personification of Britain, shown seated and holding her traditional attributes—a trident and shield—positioned center-right. Both sides feature extensive fine-line engraving with intricate floral and botanical motifs, geometric patterns, and ornate borders throughout. The dominant color palette consists of deep green on a multicolored underprint with black and cream accents. Decorative roundels and medallions appear in the corners and edges, with multiple repeated instances of the denomination numeral.

Front: 'BANK OF ENGLAND' (issuing institution), 'Promise to pay the Bearer on Demand the sum of One Pound' (legal tender promise), 'LONDON' (place of issue), 'for the Gov't and Comptrol [of] the BANK of ENGLAND' (authority attribution), 'Chief Cashier' (official designation), 'R10D 7814417' (serial number). Back: 'ONE POUND' (denomination, repeated), 'BANK OF ENGLAND' (issuing institution). All text in English.

Intaglio (steel engraving) printing, the standard method for Bank of England banknotes of this period. The visual analysis reveals characteristic fine-line engraving with complex geometric patterns, varying line weights and densities, and intricate security linework typical of high-security currency production. The multi-color printing with green overprint on a multicolored underprint suggests traditional intaglio multi-pass printing. Bank of England notes of this series were printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company, Ltd., the primary security printer for British currency during this era.

This example carries the serial number prefix 'R10D' with serial number '7814417', indicating it falls within the R-series production run. The Pick catalog lists this as P-374e, representing one of several varieties within the 1960-1977 issue based on Chief Cashier signatures and serial number series. Identification of the specific variety would require examination of the Chief Cashier signature visible on the obverse (partially visible in the image as 'Chief Cashier' inscription) to determine which of the known signatories issued this particular note.