1 pound 1947

Common. The eBay market data provided shows VF-condition notes of this type selling in the $6.00-$57.50 USD range, with most comparable sales well under $100, indicating solid collector demand but substantial availability. The North of Scotland Bank issued notes regularly during this period, and this 1947 printing represents a standard circulation issue rather than a limited or emergency release. Print runs for Scottish regional pounds in the immediate post-war period were substantial, and survival rates remain reasonable. The VF grade cited in the catalog data also supports common status—truly rare notes tend to be cataloged and priced at higher thresholds.

Issued on 1st July 1947, this note represents the North of Scotland Bank's continued exercise of its chartered right to issue currency in Scotland during the early post-war period. The heraldic symbolism and Gothic church architecture reflect Scottish institutional pride and regional banking heritage, while the parliamentary act citations (16&17 VIC.CAP.63&42&43 VIC.CAP.76) underscore the historical legal foundations of Scottish banking privileges dating to the Victorian era. The North of Scotland Bank would cease independent operations in 1961 when absorbed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, making notes from this late period particularly significant to Scottish numismatic history.

The obverse features a centrally positioned Gothic Revival church with a prominent tower and spire, rendered in detailed engraving and framed within an ornate architectural vignette. This likely depicts a significant church in Aberdeen or the North of Scotland region. The heraldic coat of arms on the left side represents the bank's corporate identity, while a large numeral '1' in an ornate circular cartouche appears on the right. The reverse displays the full heraldic achievement of the North of Scotland Bank, featuring a shield with castle and cross elements supported by two rampant lions and topped by a royal crown, surrounded by elaborate scrollwork. The color scheme employs blue-gray engraving on a cream/buff undertone, characteristic of early 20th-century Scottish banknote design. Decorative geometric borders frame both sides with intricate cross-hatching and line work typical of security printing.

FRONT: 'North of Scotland Bank Limited' (bank name); 'Promise to pay the Bearer on Demand One Pound Sterling at their Office here' (standard banknote promise); 'ABERDEEN, 1ST JULY, 1947' (issue location and date); 'By order of the Directors' and 'GENERAL MANAGER' (authorization); 'E408334' (serial number); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (printer). BACK: 'NORTH OF SCOTLAND BANK LIMITED' (bank name); 'ONE POUND' (denomination); 'RIDE ET INDUSTRIA' (heraldic motto, likely 'By Rectitude and Industry' or similar); 'PURSUANT TO ACTS OF PARLIAMENT 16&17 VIC.CAP.63&42&43 VIC.CAP.76' (legal authorization references); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (printer).

Intaglio engraving (steel/copper plate engraving) printed by Thomas de la Rue & Company Limited, London, the world's foremost security printer of the era. The complexity of the heraldic designs, intricate border work, fine cross-hatching, and the multi-color registration (blue-gray overprints on cream underprint) are all characteristic signatures of the intaglio process. De la Rue's craftsmanship is evident in the precise detail of the church vignette and heraldic elements, which would have been engraved by hand on steel plates.

This specific note is dated 1st July 1947 and carries serial number E408334 with the 'E' prefix. Scottish banknotes of this era were produced in multiple signature varieties (different General Managers signing at different periods). The catalog data indicates the 1938-1.7.1949 issue period; this example falls within that range. No overprints or unusual security features are noted from the visual analysis, suggesting this is a standard variety of the 1947 printing. Collectors should note variations in serial number prefixes and signature blocks across the 1938-1949 issue period.