PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Northern Ireland 50 Pounds

Posted on 11/21/2023

With Computer Security Day approaching on November 30, here's a banknote with a high-tech vibe.



Ireland - Northern, Northern Bank Ltd. 1990 50 Pounds graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge.

Country: Northern Ireland

Catalog Number: 196a

Date: 1990

Denomination: 50 Pounds

Varieties: In addition to the issued notes, the PMG Population Report also records Specimens.

What makes it special? The front of the banknote shows Sire Samuel Cleland Davidson, a Belfast engineer and inventor. The back shows high-tech imagery, including a satellite dish and computer equipment. November 30 is Computer Security Day, a day to raise awareness about cybersecurity. People are encouraged to think about creating stronger passwords and using security software to keep their data safe.

Did you know? This is the first of three 50-Pound banknotes that Davidson was featured on. The second was discontinued following the Northern Bank robbery on December 20, 2004, in which 26 million pounds was stolen from the bank's Belfast headquarters in an elaborate heist. At the time, Northern Bank was the largest retail bank in Northern Ireland.

Total graded by PMG: As of early November 2023, the PMG Population Report includes 36 issued examples of Pick# 196 and 7 Specimens.

PMG median grade: PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ

PMG highest graded: The PMG Population Report lists one example of Pick# 196a in PMG 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ.

Sales highlights: A Serial Number 1 of Pick# 196a graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ realized $2,160 in January 2022 through Heritage Auctions, while another example with the same grade (but without the fancy serial number) realized $600 at a Heritage sale in July 2021.

PMG Registry: This note is part of the Northern Ireland, Complete, 1982-Date, P1-Date category, where a Pick# 196a graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ appears in Alan Collection Malaysia's Northern Ireland Complete Set, the leader of 14 competing sets there. This same note is also part of the Northern Bank Limited, 1929-2005 Issues, P171-P209 category, where Alan Collection Malaysia's Ireland Northern Bank Set set leads two other competitors.

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PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Northern Ireland 50 Pounds

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