1 pound 1976 specimen
Market Prices
37 salesAbout This Note
This is a specimen note (marked with prominent red overprint) of the 1976 States of Jersey £1, issued by De la Rue in uncirculated condition. The note features Queen Elizabeth II in formal portrait on the obverse and a historically significant engraved scene depicting the Battle of Jersey and the Death of Major Peirson after John Singleton Copley's famous painting on the reverse. As a specimen example with serial number AB000000, this note represents an important documentary piece of Jersey's currency history and demonstrates the exceptional engraving quality characteristic of De la Rue's work during this period.
Common. This note from the 1976-1988 issue period represents a standard regular issue of the States of Jersey with substantial production numbers. eBay market data confirms common status, with UNC examples consistently selling in the $8-$17.50 range across multiple sales since 2009, with no evidence of scarcity premiums. The specimen overprint, while less common than circulation issue versions, does not command significantly elevated prices in the secondary market. The 2019 catalogue valuation of $17.50 for UNC condition further supports common classification.
Issued in 1976, this banknote represents Jersey's monetary identity during a period of increasing autonomy for the Channel Island crown dependency. The reverse design commemorates the Battle of Jersey (1781), a pivotal moment in Jersey's military history when Major Peirson led local forces and militia against French invasion forces, with Peirson's death becoming legendary in Jersey historical consciousness. The choice of John Singleton Copley's 18th-century painting as the reverse design links Jersey's modern currency to its celebrated past, reinforcing local heritage and identity on the banknote itself.
The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II in three-quarter formal portrait orientation, positioned center-right and facing left, wearing a tiara as part of her regalia. The portrait is rendered in the classical engraved style typical of currency portraiture. Above the portrait is the coat of arms of Jersey featuring three lions in the shield (representing the historical connection to Normandy), positioned in the upper center area. Decorative botanical and floral motifs frame both the left and right margins of the note. The reverse displays a complex historical scene engraved after John Singleton Copley's monumental painting 'The Death of Major Peirson,' depicting multiple uniformed figures, flags, and period buildings in a dramatic battle composition occupying the left portion of the note. A large circular border frame appears on the right side. The color scheme throughout is predominantly light pink and gray with blue and black printing, creating a sophisticated and historically dignified aesthetic.
Front side: 'The STATES of JERSEY' (issuing authority), 'PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND' (promise clause), 'ONE POUND' (denomination in words), 'TREASURER OF THE STATES' (authorized official), 'JERSEY C.I.' (location designation, Channel Islands), 'AB000000' (specimen serial number), '£1' (denomination symbol), 'SPECIMEN' (overprint designation). Back side: 'STATES of JERSEY' (issuing authority), 'ONE POUND' (denomination), 'BATTLE OF JERSEY' (historical subject), 'THE DEATH OF MAJOR PEIRSON' (specific historical event depicted), 'AFTER JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY' (artist attribution), 'DE LA RUE' (printer name), '£1' (denomination symbol), 'SPECIMEN' (overprint designation).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving and copperplate printing) executed by De la Rue, London, as indicated by the 'DE LA RUE' and 'TDLR' (Thomas De la Rue) printer markings visible on the note. The security features include intricate guilloche (ornamental curved line) patterns, fine crosshatching, and detailed stippling throughout both sides of the note, all characteristic of high-security banknote engraving. These multiple overlapping fine lines and complex patterns serve as primary anti-counterfeiting measures, as they are extremely difficult to reproduce with contemporary printing technologies.
This is identified as Pick P-11as, specifically a specimen variant (indicated by the 's' suffix in the catalog designation) of the base P-11 note. The visual analysis confirms this as a specimen issue through the prominent red 'SPECIMEN' overprint and the diagnostic serial number AB000000 typical of specimen examples produced for distribution to banks and currency collectors. PMG population records indicate four documented variants exist for this base Pick number (P-11CS1, P-11a, P-11b, and P-11s), with this note representing the specimen variety. All variants were printed by TDLR (De la Rue). No signature varieties or date variations are evident on this 1976-dated specimen note.
