1 pound 1952

Common. While this is a genuine historical note from a legitimate Scottish bank, the Union Bank of Scotland issued significant quantities of this denomination during the 1952-1953 circulation period. The catalog reference (Pick S816a) represents a standard regular issue from a major Scottish bank of the period, not a limited edition or recalled series. eBay market data showing PMG 55 notes selling for approximately $135 indicates moderate collector demand but widespread availability, typical of common banknotes. Notes in uncirculated condition command modest premiums over circulated examples but remain readily obtainable in the collector market.

This 1952 note was issued during the post-World War II economic recovery period, reflecting Scotland's prominence in shipbuilding and industrial manufacturing. The reverse vignette depicting a busy dock or shipyard with workers, cranes, smokestacks, and vessels symbolizes the nation's vital role in Britain's maritime commerce and industrial output during the 1950s. The Union Bank of Scotland's use of these symbols underscored the bank's connection to Scotland's economic identity and commercial importance in the era.

The obverse features an ornate design with a dark blue decorative border frame and central red/pink ornamental cartouche. The left side displays the Union Bank of Scotland's heraldic coat of arms, featuring a lion and shield with architectural elements and flanking text describing 'Shield' and 'and step.' On the right side is a circular medallion containing a detailed engraving of a multi-masted sailing ship, symbolizing Scotland's naval and merchant heritage. The reverse presents a large oval vignette rendered in fine-line engraving depicting an industrial dock or shipyard complex, with multiple workers engaged in labor, industrial cranes and loading equipment, factory buildings with smokestacks, vessels at dock, and mountainous terrain in the background—all rendered in blue tones against a cream background. Dark blue decorative borders and corner ornaments frame the reverse design.

Front side: 'THE UNION BANK OF SCOTLAND LIMITED' (issuing bank); 'ONE POUND' (denomination); 'Promise to pay the Bearer on demand at their head offices in Glasgow or Edinburgh' (legal tender promise); 'By order of the Directors' (authorization statement); '7th April 1952' (issue date); Serial number 'E 27 668971' (appears twice); 'GENERAL MANAGER' (signatory title); 'WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDON' (printer); heraldic inscriptions 'Shield' and 'and step' (coat of arms description). Back side: 'THE UNION BANK OF SCOTLAND LIMITED' (issuing bank); '1' (denomination marker).

This note was produced using traditional intaglio (line engraving) printing methods, characteristic of high-security banknote production of the era. The fine-line engraving visible throughout both the heraldic vignettes and the industrial scene on the reverse, combined with the crisp, uniform impression of the design elements, indicates professional banknote engraving. Waterlow & Sons Limited, London (noted as 'W&S' in catalog references), a renowned security printer, executed the printing. The multi-color printing on the obverse (blue, red, orange, and yellow underprint) was achieved through multiple passes of intaglio printing plates.

This specimen is dated 7th April 1952 with serial number prefix 'E 27' and serial number '668971'. The catalog designation Pick S816a indicates this is variety 'a' of the 1952 Union Bank of Scotland one pound note. The note was issued during the 1949-1953 period noted in the catalog. Known varieties for this issue may include different date printings and serial number prefixes reflecting multiple print runs, but the 1952 date and 'E' prefix appear to be within the standard range of production for this issue.