1 pound 1969
Market Prices
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1969 Central Bank of Ireland one pound note (Pick P-64b) featuring exceptional preservation with vibrant green and cream coloring throughout. The note displays crisp engraving with Celtic knotwork ornamentation, a portrait of a woman on the front, and a bearded male head sculpture on the reverse, all rendered with fine detail characteristic of professional currency production. In UNC condition, this note represents a well-preserved example of Ireland's mid-20th century currency design.
Common. This note represents a regular issue from 1969 with typical circulation volumes for an Irish pound note of that period. The eBay price tracking data shows multiple sales across various grades, with UNC examples ranging from $25 to $175 USD depending on listing variation, indicating steady availability in the collector market. There is no evidence of a limited print run, recall, or extraordinary scarcity for Pick P-64b specifically.
Issued in 1969 by the Central Bank of Ireland, this note reflects the cultural identity of independent Ireland through its bilingual inscriptions in English and Irish (Gaelic) and its prominent use of Celtic artistic motifs including interlaced knotwork and Celtic cross designs. The inclusion of both the Governor's and Secretary of the Department of Finance's signatures indicates the dual authority structure characteristic of Irish currency issuance during this period. The date of October 2, 1969, places this note during a period of economic and cultural consolidation in the Irish Republic.
The front features a woman's portrait in profile facing left, wearing a traditional head covering, positioned within an ornate oval frame on the left side of the note. This portrait likely represents Lady Hibernia or a symbolic representation of Ireland. The reverse displays a bearded male head sculpture in profile or three-quarter view, centered within an elaborate rectangular frame featuring intricate Celtic interlaced knotwork patterns. The overall design is dominated by Celtic Revival artwork with symmetrical decorative borders, ornamental scrollwork in the corners, and a Celtic cross motif at the top center. The color scheme of green/teal with cream backgrounds creates a cohesive national identity emphasizing Irish cultural heritage.
FRONT: 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND' / 'BANC GEANNAIS NA HÉIREANN' (The Central Bank of Ireland in Irish); 'LEGAL TENDER NOTE' / 'NÓTA DLÍ-THAIRGTTHE' (Legal Tender Note in Irish); 'GOVERNOR' / 'AN GOBHARNÓIR' (The Governor in Irish); 'SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE' / 'RÚNAÍ NA ROINNNE AIRGEADAIS' (Secretary of the Department of Finance in Irish); 'ONE POUND' / 'PUNT' (Pound in Irish); Serial number: '58H 046888'; Date: '2·10·69' (2 October 1969). BACK: No inscriptions present; design is purely ornamental with Celtic imagery.
This note was produced using intaglio engraving, evidenced by the crisp, fine-line detail work visible in the Celtic knotwork patterns, portrait rendering, and ornamental borders. The precision of the engraving and the clarity of fine lines in the decorative elements indicate professional security printing executed by the Currency Commission or Central Bank of Ireland's designated security printer. The quality of impression and detail consistency throughout suggests high-standard currency production techniques of the era.
This note is catalogued as Pick P-64b, identified by the watermark of the Head of Erin. Related varieties within the same series include P-64a, P-64c (featuring a security thread), and P-64d, all showing the Head of Erin watermark. The specific serial number observed is '58H 046888' with an issue date of 2 October 1969. The 'H' prefix in the serial number and the two-signature format visible on this note are consistent with standard P-64b production characteristics.
