Channel Islands Banknotes

Guernsey £1 nd P52b Green Shield at l and market scene at centre/ de Lisle Brock. Trestain as Treasurer Unc

It wasn’t until a few years ago that Guernsey included a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on its banknotes and it never issued a £1 note with her portrait. These Bailiwick £1 notes were issued in the 1970s (P45b) The arms of the Bailiwick are on the front. A view of Castle Cornet is on the back. We offer Uncirculated Bailiwick £1 notes signed by Hodder as States Treasurer. Limited availability.

The Channel Islands were the only part of British territory occupied by the Germans in World War II. The local residents in Guernsey wanted to issue small denomination notes for change as all metal coins had long disappeared from circulation. The Germans only allowed these small notes to be issued if the locals put up the equivalent in English Pounds. A total of 5000 £1 notes were taken from the vaults and overprinted 'Withdrawn from Circulation' so they could not be used by anyone, not even their German occupiers! A number of different types were taken from the bank that day but the ones we have on offer now are the Peppiatt pre-War issue of which there were a total of 1,885 surviving (B239A). All the serial numbers in the hoard which came to light over 20 years ago have been recorded and they are scarce. Very limited availability and an important part of our numismatic history.

Jersey £1 nd P32a Green. Mature portrait Queen Eliz II at r and Liberation monument at centre/ Tower and La Hougeville Black as Treasurer Unc

Jersey £1 nd (1976) P11b Blue on white Queen Eliz II facing l with tiara/ Battle of Jersey May as Treasurer Unc

These £1 notes were issued by Jersey in 1991 when George Baird was Treasurer.(P20) The front is dominated by a not very flattering portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing Garter robes.The back has a view of St Helier Parish Church.

In 1995, Jersey celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the liberation of the island after the Second World War. The Channel Islands were the only part of Britain to be occupied by German forces during the war. The front follows the usual design with a facing portrait of Elizabeth II with an overprint to the left marking the 50th Anniversary and a special prefix LJ (Liberation of Jersey) The back depicts a Wartime Jersey £1 note and a view of the Liberation Monument (P25). Uncirculated.