1 pound 1940

Common. eBay market data shows notes in fair (F) condition consistently priced at approximately $28 USD, with multiple examples available at various condition grades ranging from $7.50 to $350 USD depending on condition. The broad price range and frequent availability across multiple condition grades indicate healthy market supply and regular collector demand, typical of common banknotes from established banking institutions. While historically significant as a World War II-era provincial issue, this denomination and issuer do not command premium prices or show scarcity indicators.

This note was issued during 1940, a pivotal year in World War II when Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom while the Irish Free State had already declared neutrality. The heraldic coat of arms with dragons and shields depicted on the obverse reflects the established authority and legitimacy of the Belfast Banking Company Limited, one of the historic private banking institutions that maintained note-issuing privileges in Northern Ireland. The formal institutional imagery and dated authority statement ('10th August 1940') demonstrate the regulatory framework governing private bank currency issuance during this period.

The obverse features two heraldic coats of arms with dragons and shields positioned in the upper central area, flanked by ornate scrollwork and floral motifs in the corners. The issuer's name 'BELFAST BANKING COMPANY LIMITED' is prominently displayed horizontally across the center, with denomination cartouches reading 'ONE' and '£' positioned in the bottom corners. A distinctive blue-tinted security band with crosshatch pattern and handwritten signatures crosses the note horizontally. The reverse displays a symmetrical repeating pattern of quatrefoil or leaf ornamental motifs arranged in horizontal rows, with circular rosette patterns in all four corners. 'ONE' and '£' denomination frames appear at top and bottom center, with the bank name repeated horizontally. A decorative border runs around the entire perimeter.

Front side: Serial number 'Z 7207' (upper left and right); 'BELFAST BANKING COMPANY LIMITED' (center, bank name); 'BELFAST' (city of issue); 'For BELFAST BANKING COMPANY LIMITED,' (authority statement); '10th August 1940' (specific date of issue); 'ONE' (denomination in corners). Back side: 'ONE' (denomination, top center); 'BELFAST BANKING COMPANY LIMITED' (center); 'ONE' (denomination, bottom center). All text is in English.

Intaglio engraving, the standard high-security printing method for banknotes of this period. The intricate detail visible in the heraldic designs, ornamental borders, scrollwork, and repeating quatrefoil patterns are characteristic of engraved banknote production. The fine crosshatch pattern in the security band and the crisp definition of text and symbols indicate professional security printing standards of the 1940s era. The specific printer for Belfast Banking Company Limited notes of this period was typically a established security printer serving British and Irish banking institutions, though the visual evidence does not reveal the printer's mark.

This specimen represents the 1922-1940 issue series as documented in the catalog references, with a specific issue date of 10th August 1940 visible on the obverse. The serial number 'Z 7207' with the 'Z' prefix is noted; variations in serial number prefixes and specific signature combinations on the security band may indicate different signature varieties within this issue, though without comparison examples the specific variety designation cannot be confirmed. The dated authority statement ('10th August 1940') suggests this may be from late in the issue series, as the Belfast Banking Company's note-issuing privilege ended in 1940.