Private Bank Issues

Lot 1565       Private Bank Issues

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $6,800

THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF TASMANIA LIMITED, Launceston, Tasmania, one pound, dated 1 January 1910, (date fully printed as 1 January 190-), numbered C232119, signed, but of uncertain signatures for Manager and countersignature, on paper, probably on watermarked paper, imprint of 'Perkins Bacon & Co. Ld London Patent Hardened Steel Plate', vignette on upper left of woman holding cornucopiae and anchor, and ornamental oval tablet with 'ONE' on upper right and 'ONE POUND' in rectangular block lower left, all within rectangular ornate spiral border, 'LAUNCESTON' on two sides, states below, 'I Promise to pay the Bearer on Demand the Sum of ONE POUND Sterling Value received. For the Commercial Bank of Tasmania Limited', with brown 'ONE' across centre within three geometric circles, on back 'ONE' in centre in block, geometic ovals in corner, brown and blue on white/ black on white, (Vort-Ronald, Type two (c), comments on bank and type p.138-141, similar issued note illustrated Fig. 148 [p.141, a cancelled Ã…â€Å‣20], and of type as Superscribed note Fig.276). Folds and creases, minor holes along creases, slightly soiled and worn on front and back, otherwise fine and excessively rare, the type from Launceston probably unique.

This bank was from one of the earliest banks founded in 1829 and disappeared in 1914 when it was taken over by the English, Scottish & Australian Bank. It never was a major bank, restricting its activities to Tasmania. Its notes are rarely seen with a total population of less than five notes in private hands. A similar note was sold in Spink-Noble sale 38 (lot 2819) but issued on Hobart.