Auction #318 Report:
The Banknote Sale
2-3 June 2026
Total prices realised: £123,733 (incl. prem.)
A good turnout and result for this two-day sale which illustrated certain trends and movements. Serial numbers seem to be ruling the English market, with firsts, lasts, replacements, experiments and other oddities being key. A last run O’Brien 10/- in at £80 top made £800 ! A nice example of a Nairne white tenner 1915 made £1200 against £800. The Bowen £5 1897 slabbed net VF went for £1000 (some rust marks). In the regional notes a set of six German occupied Jersey proofs made £1900. The world material A to C was offered on the first day and we noted healthy demand for Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, BWA, Ceylon and of course China. An unusual Soviet Chinese cloth note made £340. Czechoslovakian notes sold well, including a 500 Korun red 1929 in EF+ for £440.
Eastern European material in general is performing well, such as the first notes of day 2: Danzig. There has been a resurgence of Egyptian interest. Lot 561, a Rowlatt 25 Piastres 1917 in VF achieved £1900 (top est. £300). A Rowlatt 50 Piastres 1918 slabbed VF20 made £750. A French collection was well-received with some albums going up to £500 – for one of Chambre de Commerce. Their colonial material did similarly well such as an Indochina 500 Piastres 1939 AU for £700. Other noted trending countries include Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan and UAE.
Our next Banknote Sale is scheduled for 25-26 August, consignment available until 17th July. You will find Kevin Watmough out-and-about on the circuit, otherwise please get in touch if you would like us to relay information.
Selected Highlights
Lot 119: Nairne 10 Pounds dated 16th June 1915, London issue, serial 33/K 60843 (B208c, Pick305) small stamped numbers in top right corner on reverse, lightly pressed VF+, scarce. Est. £600 - £800. Hammer £1200 (£1481 incl. premium)
Lot 126: O'Brien 10 Shillings (B286) issued 1961, rare LAST RUN 'K64' prefix, serial K64 263983 (B286, Pick373a) about EF and scarce. Est. £50 - £80. Hammer £800 (£987 incl. premium)
Lot 229: Jersey (6), an exceptionally scarce full set of WW2 German Occupation PROOF notes without serial numbers, 1941 - 1942 issue (BNB B101 - B106, Pick1 - 6) the 1 Pound has a light corner bend otherwise all Uncirculated or about, individual examples occassionally seen but this is a very rare opportunity to purchase a complete set. Est. £1400 - £1600. Hammer £1900 (£2345 incl. premium)
Lot 512: Czechoslovakia 500 Korun dated 2nd May 1929, scarce series E, serial E 402571 (BNB B205c, Pick24a) centre fold very lightly pressed out, EF+ looks Uncirculated. Est. £150 - £200. Hammer £440 (£543 incl. premium)
Lot 561: Egypt 25 Piastres dated 7th August 1917, very rare early date signed Rowlatt, serial L/3 036411 (BNB B108a, Pick10a) original VF. Est. £200 - £300. Hammer £1900 (£2345 incl. premium)
Lot 638: French Indochina 500 Piastres issued 1939, signed Macel Borduge & Paul Baudouin, serial W.8 444 (BNB B144a, Pick57) very light signs of handling, about Uncirculated/Uncirculated. Est. £300 - £400. Hammer £700 (£864 incl. premium)
Lot 757: India, 2 Annas Prisoners of War Camp issue, Clement Town, ink stamps, generally about EF and scarce. Est. £100 - £150. Hammer £340 (£420 incl. premium)
Lot 769: Iran 5 Tomans on 20 Mark dated 1914 (1916 - 1917), issued for a short period during WW1 these notes were for use in areas where Farsi was spoken, secured by Turkish gold and Persian silver coins, the majority were redeemed after the war and all stock destroyed, making surviving examples very rare, serial N.0210205 (BNB B201a, PickM3) VF. Est. £200 - £300. Hammer £500 (£617 incl. premium)
Lot 962: United Arab Emirates 10 Dirhams issued 1973, serial number 618682 (BNB B103a, Pick3) Uncirculated. Est. £60 - £90. Hammer £360 (£444 incl. premium)
