1 pound 1977 specimen
Market Prices
3 salesAbout This Note
This is a 1977 specimen 1 pound banknote issued by the Provincial Bank of Ireland Limited, a member bank of Allied Irish Banks Ltd based in Belfast. The note features an elegant portrait of a young woman in profile on the obverse and a detailed engraving of the historical sailing ship Girona on the reverse, both rendered in fine intaglio printing with a predominantly green and blue color scheme. As an uncirculated specimen with clear SPECIMEN markings and diagonal specimen overprints, this note represents an excellent example of Northern Irish banking currency from the late 1970s and is particularly sought by collectors interested in provincial Irish banknotes and historical maritime imagery.
Common. Despite being a specimen note from 1977, the eBay market data provided indicates regular sales in the $23-29 range for UNC examples, with catalog values at $45 for UNC condition. The steady transaction history at modest price points indicates adequate supply in the collector market. Specimen notes from this issue appear with reasonable frequency, and the Provincial Bank of Ireland's longer operational history and substantial print runs support a common classification.
The Provincial Bank of Ireland Limited, established in London in 1825, issued this note during a period of significant transition in Irish banking, as indicated by its designation as a member bank of the newly formed Allied Irish Banks Ltd. The choice of the Girona—a Spanish Armada galleon that sank off the Irish coast in 1588—reflects Northern Ireland's maritime heritage and historical significance. This 1977 issue represents the final decade of the provincial bank era before further consolidation in Irish banking structures.
The obverse features a carefully engraved portrait of a young woman with short hair shown in profile facing right, positioned prominently on the right side of the note. Security elements include a circular logo with triangular design in the top left corner, six heraldic coat of arms shields arranged horizontally across the bottom center representing Irish provincial heraldry, and a distinctive Celtic spiral design in the bottom right corner. The reverse depicts a full-rigged historical sailing ship (the Girona) shown in detail within an oval decorative frame, accompanied by ornate Celtic knotwork patterns and geometric security designs throughout the background. The entire note employs fine parallel line engraving work characteristic of high-security currency production.
Front side: 'Provincial Bank of Ireland Limited' (issuer name); '(A MEMBER BANK OF ALLIED IRISH BANKS LTD) Established in London 1825' (corporate identification); 'PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER' (legal tender promise); 'One Pound' (denomination); 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation); 'FOR PROVINCIAL BANK OF IRELAND LIMITED' (authorization line); 'BELFAST' (issuing location); 'MANAGER' (signature title); 'PN000000' (serial number, repeated in multiple locations). Back side: 'One Pound' (denomination); 'POUND POUND' (additional denomination marking); 'THE GIRONA' (ship identification); 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation).
Intaglio (steel plate engraving) printing executed by Thomas de la Rue, London, the renowned security printer. The visual analysis confirms the characteristic fine parallel line work, intricate security patterns, and crisp engraved detail typical of de la Rue's intaglio process. Security features include watermark areas, detailed Celtic knotwork patterns, and fine-line geometric designs integrated into the background to prevent counterfeiting.
This is specifically identified as Pick 247as, where the 's' suffix denotes 'specimen.' The serial number format 'PN000000' is characteristic of specimen notes, replacing the standard circulation serial numbering. The prominent diagonal SPECIMEN overprints and handwritten specimen markings visible in both images are standard for specimen notes released to collectors and institutions. The 1977 date and PN prefix distinguish this from any 1979 varieties or notes from other Allied Irish Banks member banks.
