50 new pence 1979 specimen
Market Prices
4 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1979 specimen of the Isle of Man 50 New Pence note, notable for its crisp blue and multicolor printing and the prominent "SPECIMEN" overprint visible on the front. The note features a fine-line engraved portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and an impressive Viking longship design on the reverse, executed in the traditional intaglio style characteristic of Bradbury Wilkinson's premium currency work. Though a specimen note with serial C000000, this represents an important historical issue from the Isle of Man's decimal currency period.
Common. This is a standard issue note from 1972–1979 with no evidence of restricted print runs or short-lived issuing status. The eBay price data confirms common market availability, with UNC examples selling in the $15–$23 range in recent years and catalog values listed at $60 UNC (2019). Specimen notes, while technically non-circulating, are typically produced in reasonable quantities for archival and distribution purposes and do not command significant premiums over circulated examples in this case.
Issued between 1972–1979, this banknote reflects the Isle of Man's transition to decimal currency and its assertion of fiscal independence through its own government-backed currency. The Viking longship depicted on the reverse commemorates the historical Norse settlement and cultural heritage of the Isle of Man, linking medieval Viking seafaring traditions to modern numismatic identity. The note's issuer, the Isle of Man Government through its bank, demonstrates the island's status as a self-governing Crown dependency with autonomous monetary authority.
The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II positioned at the right, rendered in the formal heraldic style typical of Commonwealth currency of this era. The left and center are dominated by the Triskele (three-legged) arms of the Isle of Man within a large circular seal, flanked by ornamental floral and geometric border designs in pink/red and blue tones. The reverse showcases a detailed fine-line engraving of a Viking longship with a large square sail, high ornate prow, and visible oars, depicted on water with distant hills, framed by Celtic knotwork patterns and corner crosses. The overall color scheme is blue on multicolored underprint, with dimensions of 126×62mm standard for the period.
FRONT: 'ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT' — Isle of Man Government; 'PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ANY OFFICE OF ISLE OF MAN BANK LIMITED' — Standard currency promise; 'Fifty New Pence' — Denomination in words; 'SPECIMEN' — Specimen overprint (non-circulating); 'C000000' — Specimen serial number; '50P' — Denomination symbol; 'LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR' — Signature authority line. BACK: 'FIFTY NEW PENCE' — Denomination in words; '50P' — Denomination symbol; 'JOHN H NICHOLSON R.I. PINX' — Artist attribution (John H Nicholson, Royal Academician, as painter/designer); 'BRADBURY WILKINSON & CO LTD NEW MALDEN SURREY ENGLAND' — Printer attribution and location.
Intaglio (fine-line engraving) by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, the renowned British currency security printer based in New Malden, Surrey. The note displays the characteristic sharp detail, fine line work, and dimensional relief typical of intaglio currency production. The specimen overprint and security elements are integrated into the design with precision.
This note is identified as Pick P-28cs, the specimen variety (indicated by the 's' suffix and 'SPECIMEN' overprint). PMG records indicate five cataloged variants for this base Pick number: P-28a, P-28b, P-28c (regular issues with possible signature or printer variations), and P-28s1 and P-28s2 (specimen variants). The 'cs' designation suggests this is likely P-28c with specimen overprint. Serial number C000000 is standard for specimen notes and indicates non-circulating status. The Bradbury Wilkinson printing is consistent across documented varieties.
