100 pounds 1973 specimen

Common. While specimen notes command a premium over circulated examples, the 1973 Ulster Bank £100 is not inherently rare. eBay market data from 2014-2019 shows consistent sales in the $700-$910 range for UNC specimens, with catalog values (2019) listing UNC at $700. The relatively stable pricing and regular auction activity across multiple years indicate this is a well-known, accessible note to collectors. Specimen notes were produced in quantities sufficient to allow specimens to enter the collector market, and this denomination and issuer are represented in most serious collections of British and Irish currency.

Issued on 1st March 1973, this note represents Ulster Bank Limited's high-denomination currency during a period of significant economic and political transition in Northern Ireland. The reverse features the bank's heraldic coat of arms with Latin motto 'Nil Impossibile Ruit Votis' (Nothing is impossible to willing hearts), reflecting the institution's long-established tradition and prestige in Irish banking. The depicted landscape elements—including rural and industrial views of Belfast alongside references to the Giant's Causeway region—celebrate Northern Ireland's cultural and economic identity during the early 1970s.

The obverse features a sophisticated rose/pink color scheme with prominent ornamental rosette designs containing the denomination '100' in red positioned in the upper left and right corners. A large central oval security design with fine interwoven geometric patterns dominates the center, flanked by elaborate floral decorative borders on both sides. At the base, landscape vignettes depict rural scenes on the bottom left and industrial/urban views of Belfast on the bottom right, representing the region's economic duality. The reverse employs a light blue and gray palette with striking red/pink accents, centered on an ornate heraldic coat of arms featuring lions and shield elements symbolizing Ulster Bank's authority and heritage. Winged figures (cherubs or decorative wing designs) flank the arms on either side, while continuous Celtic knot pattern borders frame the entire perimeter, referencing the region's historical and cultural identity. Decorative emblematic shields appear in all four corners. The denomination '£100' is repeated on both sides of the central arms design.

FRONT SIDE: 'ULSTER BANK LIMITED' (issuing institution); 'SPECIMEN' (designation); '100' and 'ONE HUNDRED POUNDS' (denomination); 'ULSTER BANK LIMITED PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT HEAD OFFICE BELFAST' (promise clause typical of British-issued notes); 'FOR ULSTER BANK LIMITED' (authorization); '1ST MARCH, 1973.' (issue date); 'CHIEF EXECUTIVE.' (signatory title); Serial number format 'F000000' (specimen marking). BACK SIDE: 'ULSTER BANK LIMITED' (issuing institution); 'SPECIMEN' (designation); '£100' (denomination, appears twice); 'NIL IMPOSSIBILE RUIT VOTIS' (Latin motto, translates to 'Nothing is impossible to willing hearts' or 'No prayer is denied'); 'BRADBURY WILKINSON & CO LTD NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND.' (printer information).

Intaglio engraving by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, the renowned London-based security printer located in New Malden, Surrey. The technique is evidenced by the fine line work, intricate decorative patterns, ornate borders, and complex heraldic imagery visible throughout both sides. The precision of the microprint-style elements in the borders, the depth of the interwoven oval security design on the obverse, and the detailed Celtic knotwork demonstrate the high-quality multi-color intaglio process characteristic of Bradbury Wilkinson's production for major financial institutions during this period.

This is specifically a SPECIMEN variety of the 1973 issue, identifiable by the prominent red 'SPECIMEN' overprint on both obverse and reverse, and the serial number marked as 'F000000' rather than a standard issue number. Specimen notes of this era were typically produced in smaller quantities than regular circulation issues and were distributed to banks, government institutions, and sometimes released to collectors. The Pick catalog designation 'P-330as' confirms this as the specimen variety (the 's' suffix denoting specimen status). No signature varieties are discernible from the images provided; the note bears the standard '1ST MARCH, 1973' date and 'CHIEF EXECUTIVE' authorization as printed.