1 pound 1967

Common. The 1967 Bank of Ireland one pound note (Pick 56) was a regular-issue banknote produced in substantial quantities for circulation in Northern Ireland. eBay market data from 2019 indicates catalog values of $70 for UNC condition, with an actual sale at PMG 65 grade fetching $52.02, suggesting stable but modest collector demand. Notes with catalog values under $75 in UNC condition and regular-issue status are typically common in numismatic markets. The absence of any indication of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived issuing authority supports this assessment.

Issued during 1967, this banknote represents the Bank of Ireland's regular currency circulation period in Northern Ireland, depicting symbols of Irish national identity through Hibernia alongside contemporary images of industrial progress—the aircraft, modern office building, and ocean liner—reflecting the economic development aspirations of the mid-20th century Irish state. The note's imagery emphasizes both cultural heritage (the harp and allegorical female figure) and forward-looking modernity, typical of 1960s banknote design philosophy across the British Isles.

The obverse features two allegorical female figures: on the left, a classical female head in left-facing profile representing classical antiquity or generic femininity; on the right, Hibernia (the personification of Ireland) depicted as a winged allegorical figure holding a harp in one hand and a torch in the other, symbolizing Irish cultural identity and enlightenment. A heraldic eagle or bird appears at the top center, with a coat of arms or shield bearing the legend 'BONA FIDES' and 'REPUBLICA HIBERNIAE' in the lower right area of the Hibernia figure. The entire obverse is rendered in intricate line work with pink/rose and green underprinting against black engraving. The reverse depicts three industrial vignettes celebrating Irish modernity: a commercial aircraft (flying boat or seaplane) on the left, a modernist Bank of Ireland office building in the center, and the ocean liner SS Canberra on the right, with industrial storage tanks at lower right. The reverse is rendered in black and gray tones with fine engraving and shading. Large denomination numerals '1' appear in both lower corners.

Front side: 'BANK OF IRELAND' (issuer identification); 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand' (standard bearer promise); 'ONE pound' (denomination); 'BELFAST' and 'DONEGALL PLACE' (location references); 'For the Governor and Company of the BANK OF IRELAND' (formal issuing authority); 'Authorized Agent' (signature title designation); Serial number 'B290593' (appears twice, upper left and lower right in red ink). Back side: 'BANK OF IRELAND' (repeated issuer identification); 'ONE POUND' (denomination); Large numeral '1' (appears in lower corners). All inscriptions are in English.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving and steel plate engraving), the standard security printing technique for banknotes of this period. The fine line work, intricate geometric patterns, concentric circles, detailed shading on architectural and industrial elements, and the crisp impression visible in the uncirculated example all indicate traditional engraved steel plate printing. The color registration (pink/rose and green underprinting beneath black line work) suggests multi-stage printing with careful registration. The Bank of Ireland's currency notes of this era were typically printed by De La Rue or similar security printers, though specific printer attribution for Pick 56 would require additional documentation.

The observed serial number is B290593, appearing in red ink in both the upper left and lower right positions. The serial number prefix 'B' may indicate a specific printing batch or series. For Bank of Ireland currency of this period, varieties can include different signature combinations, serial number prefixes, and color shade variations in printing. Without comprehensive reference materials detailing all serial number prefixes and signature varieties for Pick 56, the specific variety designation cannot be definitively established, though the 'B' prefix and red serial number coloring should be noted for future comparative study. The 1967 date is consistent with the catalog designation.