NOONANS MAYFAIR TO SELL RARE BANK OF ENGLAND BANKNOTES   -Also includes the first ever Manx banknote issued on the Isle of Man -

A rare, if not unique £500 note will be offered at Noonans Mayfair in a sale of British and Irish banknotes on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Dating from October 1929, it is estimated to fetch £20,000-24,000 and is the only known surviving £500 note signed by Basil G Catterns, who was Chief Cashier between 1929-1934.  It is being sold by a long-time collector of British notes who has owned it for almost 15 years [lot 142].  

As Andrew Pattison, Head of the Banknotes Department at Noonans commented: “This is a staggeringly rare and important note, and it is in wonderful clean condition, especially considering it is now almost 100 years old. For anyone who collects Catterns notes or indeed any Bank of England notes, this would be likely the pinnacle of their collection.”

This is one of several rare Bank of England notes in the sale – all of which have rarely been seen at auction for several decades. An exceptionally early £50 note dating from April 1780 is estimated at £26,000-32,000. Signed by Abraham Newland, who was Chief Cashier between 1782-1807 It is being sold by another long-term collector of Bank of England notes [lot 107]. 

As Mr Pattison said: “Abraham Newland was quite a character, who apparently slept in the bank for 25 years. This is one of only two notes of this denomination to be recorded – so it is truly remarkable.” 

A £100 note from the Birmingham branch of the Bank of England, dated May 1894 and signed by Horace G. Bowen, who was Chief Cashier between 1893 -1902 is estimated at £24,000-30,000 [lot 114].

As Mr Pattison added: “This is one of only two surviving Bowen notes above £5 issued anywhere other than London, and its condition is spectacular.  It would be a jewel in the crown of almost any 19th century banknote collection”

A very rare £5 note from the Bank of England branch in Bristol dating from June 1850 and signed by Matthew Marshall, who was Chief Cashier between 1835-64 is estimated at £15,000-20,000. It is stamped issued by Tugwell, Clutterbuck and Ricardo, who were a local bank in Bath [lot 113].

The sale will include a large variety of banknotes from English Provincial banks as well as banks in Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey. The very first Manx Bank note ever issued will be included in the sale. The £1 note with serial number one dates from November 1882 is decorated with an image of the Tower of Refuge in Douglas harbour and is expected to fetch £10,000-15,000 [lot 754]. 

As Mr Pattison said: “This is an absolutely astonishing note and, in my opinion, the finest Isle of Man note in existence! The imagery on it is iconic, showing locations everyone on the island knows and loves, and the fact that it is serial number one of the issue is a remarkable bonus”