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Lot 1643      

Estimate $2,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,500

BENJAMIN RAYNER, Royal Hotel and Little Wonder Store, Hodgson, one pound, proof, currency note, 21 March 1881, (18- printed), numbered No. C 943, unwatermarked paper, value as ONE in corners, imprint of 'M'Kellar Eng. Brisbane', stating on front 'Please pay No. 212 or Bearer the sum of One Pound Sterling, Hodgson 21st day of March 1881' and 'Payable Queensland National Bank Brisbane or Roma', all within rectangular ornate spiral border with legend 'BENJAMIN RAYNER, WHOLESALE WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT & GENERAL STOREKEEPER' and 'QUEENSLAND' on each side, not signed, impressed with Queensland stamp duty one penny, stamp in centre left field, black on white, (Spink Australia Sale 9 lot 1091, illustrates This Note, Vort-Ronald p.25 mentions the note). Extremely fine and extremely rare, if not unique.

Ex. Spink Australia Sale 9 (lot 1091). $$ This is probably the only note known. Benjamin Rayner issued one and five pound notes payable at the Queensland National Bank at Brisbane and Roma. The notes were given in exchange for goods and services and could be used as currency in the local area until cashed at the bank's branch at Brisbane or Roma. They would then be redeemed by the issuer. Eventually the banks refused to accept his notes. Rayner retaliated by banning Government notes until his own notes were withdrawn and redeemed. (Vort-Ronald p.25).