Series A banknotes
The Series A Banknotes were introduced by the Irish Free State in 1928 and were the first banknotes created for the state. The Currency Commission of the Irish Free State prescribed the design of the notes and recieved advice of an advisory commission.
The Banknotes
The banknotes where authorised by the commission and Waterlow and Sons, Limited, London printed the notes on behalf of the commission.
The predominant theme on the notes is the rivers of Ireland, which are depicted as heads taken from the Custom House, Dublin. Whilst there was some uncertainty as to which rivers were depicted, it is agreed that rivers in the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland were chosen. Each note also contains a watermark of the Head of Erin.
A number of changes were made to the notes when the Irish Free State changed its name in accordance with the Constitution of Ireland in 1937. Additional changes were made when the Commission was superseded by the Central Bank of Ireland in 1943. Banknotes produced during the Second World War were overprinted with different letters so that particular batches could be identified and removed from circulation if they were lost in transit between the printers in Britain and Dublin. Notes issued on and from 1961 no longer beared the promise of exchange in London.
Ten Shilling
The ten shilling note is predominantly orange in colour, with background tints of mauve and green. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is June 1968. The printing of this note ceased earlier than the rest of the series because of decimalisation which eliminated the need for the note.
The banknotes dimensions are 78 × 138 millimeters. The river depicted on the rear of the note is the River Blackwater.
One Pound
The one pound note is predominantly green in colour, with background tints of orange and mauve. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is September 1976.
The banknotes dimensions are 84 × 151 millimeters. Their is some uncertainty of the river depicted but it maybe the River Lee.
Five Pound
The five pound note is predominantly brown in colour, with background tints of orange and pink. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is September 1975.
The banknotes dimensions are 92 × 165 millimeters. The river depicted on the rear of the note is the River Lagan.
Ten Pound
The ten pound note is predominantly blue in colour, with background tints of green and mauve. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is December 1976.
The banknotes dimensions are 108 × 191 millimeters. The river depicted on the rear of the note is the River Bann.
Twenty Pound
The twenty pound note is predominantly madder red in colour, with background tints of orange and mauve. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is March 1976.
The banknotes dimensions are 114 × 203 millimeters. The river depicted on the rear of the note is the River Boyne.
Fifty Pound
The fifty pound note is predominantly mauve in colour, with background tints of buff and green. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is April 1977.
The banknotes dimensions are 114 × 203 millimeters. The river depicted on the rear of the note is the River Lee, although evidence points towards it possibly being the the River Shannon.
Hundred Pound
The hundred pound note is predominantly olive green in colour, with background tints of buff and brown. The first date on the notes is September 1928 and the final date is April 1977.
The banknotes dimensions are 114 × 203 millimeters. The river depicted on the rear of the note is the River Shannon, although evidence points towards it possibly being the the River Erne.