Are You A Queen Elizabeth II Banknote Collector? Share Which Are Tough, What Ones You Need, Etc.

-Nice add @Bas S Warwick

FALKLAND ISLANDS
The Government of the Falkland Islands (TDLR for the BOE) did not redesign their currency with the QEII profile until 1960. A high grade set of notes from the first series is definitely achievable.

1960-1975 QEII Issue
P-7 TEN Shillings
This brown & beige "10 Bob" is one of the tougher denominations to acquire in high grades. A half £ & the first 'workhorse' what is nice about it is the simple guilloche on the reverse (no text).
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note212055.html

P-8a,b,c,d,e ONE Pound
This navy blue One Pound also had its share of use plus 5 separate issues (a-1967; b-1974; c-1977; d-01/1982; e-06/1982). There were only 50,000 to 75,000 notes per run.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note212056.html

P-9a,b FIVE Pounds


This red Five Pound note had its initial release in 1960 (a) and its second issue in 1975 (b). Like P-7a, P-9a can be tougher to source in high grades.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note212058.html

1969-1982 Issue
[One Pound = 100 Pence system]
P-10a,b FIFTY Pence
This note has a similar design to the 10 Bob (P-7a) but the brown seems a little darker as does the grey under print as well as the "50P Fifty Pence"denomination. It was released in 1969 (a) and 1974 (b).


https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note202509.html

P-11a,b,c TEN Pounds
This dark green with yellow under print top denomination can also be somewhat challenging to acquire in higher grades. Only 50,000 were first released in 1975 (a) & again in January of 1982 (b) with a 62,000 final release 5 months later (c).
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note212060.html

1983 Anniversary Issue (150 years)
With GB's turf war with Argentina over in 1982, the powers that be must have decided to commemorate British rule in a new design. The size/dimensions of this series becomes stretched out (slightly wider and shorter).
P-12 Five Pounds


This red note is easy to acquire in high grade though only 200,000 were issued. I think it speaks volumes to the low population (& currency needs) of the Islands.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203672.html

P-13 ONE Pound

This navy blue £1 appeared a year later with the same design as the Five (P-12) but without the anniversary reference. As a 'workhorse' note it may be slightly tougher to find in higher grades.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203663.html

P-14 TEN Pounds
This 1986 green note also had a short 200,000 release.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203666.html

P-15 TWENTY Pounds
This 1984 brown note is a new denomination which had the same short run as the lower denominations.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203668.html

P-16 FIFTY Pounds
This 1986 muli-colour (mainly purple) highest denomination is quite accessible in high grades.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203670.html

In 2005, the £5 was re-issued (P-17) but it, the £10 (P-18) & £20 (P-19) are all quite readily available in UNC.

-That's understandable since, like Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, its still a tiny protected extension of Great Britain. Also, its just P-12 (Commemorative $5) & more recent issues that some world sellers keep stocked.

Fiji
Before I begin, I would just like to remind readers that the currency, history & cultural background of these tiny islands have been previously covered by another CCF member, @Princetane, here:
http://goccf.com/t/402203

For this reason, I will try to cover the pre-decimal phase & the immediate change-over to the Dollar system. Check out P-51 to P-57 at the Bank Note Museum:
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c...20II%20Issue

1953-1967 QEII Issue
The six denominations from this series, & the two King George issues, seem to be big hits amongst advanced world collectors with deep pockets. These notes are large format, bold in colours & quite scarce the farther one goes back & the larger one seeks.

P-51a,b,c,d,e FIVE Shillings
The first thing that strikes one when first laying eyes on these low denominations is the size and colour of the 5 & 10 Bobs. This large blue note has the coat of arms in centre, a young QEII at the right & a rainbow (pinkish) under print. They had five different issues & typically the first 3 years are a little tougher than the latter 2.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note206621.html

P-52a,b,c,d,e TEN Shillings


This brown half-pound, while more subtle than P-51, still has a colourful under print.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note244506.html

P-53a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i
This green £1 had 9 separate issues. It is green with a splash of yellow in the centre of its design. Whenever I see these notes offered they're usually quite circulated & very pricey (even though earlier version a-d are typically tougher than e to I it is not unusual to see them all equally priced high).
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note244509.html

P-54a,b,c,d,e,f FIVE Pounds
This larger dark purple, light orange mid-denomination is rarely seen up for auction. The last two versions (1964/1967) are the most common notes if you can find one.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note247035.html

P-55a,b,c,d,e,f TEN Pounds
This larger dark blue, orange, yellow high denomination is about as tough as P-54. The last two versions (January 1965/1965) are the most difficult notes if you can find one.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note247037.html

P-56a,s TWENTY Pounds
This dark blue note, issued in 1953 & likely confused with the TEN Pound (P-55) so often that it had a radical colour scheme change to red the following year. It is so scarce that you would be much more likely to own its punch holed specimen.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note299493.html

P-57a,b TWENTY Pounds
In 1954 the £20 was re-issued with a red colour, likely to distinguish it more radically from the lower valued £10. It was issued in 1954 & 1958. I have never seen this note up for auction & the 1954 entry at the Bank Note Museum (& lack of entry for Numista) would suggest that 1958 is very scarce & the chances of acquiring an example are slim to none.

Government of Fiji/Dollar System
The colonial government of Fiji's currency design undergoes a dramatic transformation in 1969 when they drop the Imperial Shilling/Pound system for the Fijan Dollars. The second 1971 issue has added "Issued by the Currency Board" above the signatures. The 1971 variation also has 2 signature variations (a- Barrett) & (b- Stinson). other than that, the "Government of Fiji" notes are likely just as tough & have the exact same designs, so I've taken the liberty to combine the two issues:

P-58/P-64a,b FIFTY cents


The 1969 issue had the Ritchie/Barnes signatures and A/1 prefixes.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note206623.html
It follows a similar colour scheme as the pre-decimal 5 Shillings (P-51) but has added a more Fijan scene on the reverse. Both are not too difficult to acquire & the FIJI (1974 P-70) was not issued.
1971:
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note284533.html

P-59/P-65a,b ONE Dollar
The brown & white P-59 has the Ritchie-Barnes signatures:
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note224158.html
The 1971 (P-65a,b) with the single Barrett or Stinson signatures are also not that difficult to obtain. Unlike their pre-decimal 10Bob predecessors (P-52), these also have a beautiful Fijan landscape on the reverse.

P-60/P-66a TWO Dollars
The green & white P-60 has the Ritchie-Barnes signatures. It can be a little tougher than P-66a (which only had the Barrett signature for its brief release). The Two Dollar drops the local scenes that the lower denominations had in favour of a more symbolic guilloche pattern.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note206631.html

P-61/P-67a,b FIVE Dollars
The red & white P-61 $5 has the Ritchie-Barnes signatures & can be hard to source. P-61 can be a little tougher than P-67a,b (with Barrett or Stinson signatures). I believe the Stinson (last signature) can be a little harder to come by. Once looking for $5 or higher, the ability to source higher quality notes becomes challenging.

P-62/P-68a TEN Dollars
The purple/lilac P-62 has the Ritchie-Barnes signatures. It is a tough note to find in any condition.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note299585.html
The 1971 TEN Dollar P-68a Barrett signature can be a lot tougher than the later P-68b Stinson variety.

P-63/P-69a,b TWENTY Dollars
The navy blue, grey P-63 has the Ritchie-Barnes signatures. It is hard to find but not as tough as the initial 1971 P-69a (Barrett signature) version.

All of the above notes can be a challenge from the mid to higher denominations (& in higher grades). The green Two Dollar is often overlooked & can be challenging but the Ten & Twenty can be next to impossible. Many collectors satisfy themselves with the next "FIJI" (1974) series. Even it can be tough to fill when it comes to the $20 denomination.

Fiji's initial foray into the Dollar system really represents an opportunity for the collector who wishes to complete each of the signature varieties. To get a better feel for it (& to distinguish "The Government of Fiji" from the more accessible 1974 "FIJI" Series (P-70 to P-75) it would help to look over the Bank Note Museum:
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c...%20OF%20FIJI

Thanks for following & the positive feedback @Bas S Warwick!

GIBRALATAR
The "Rock" as many call it, has had its own currency since WWI. QEII notes first appeared in 1975 dropping the '10 Bob' & the boxy format for a new wallet-friendly rectangular version. The first QEII also has a new colour scheme. Check out the Bank Note Museum's page for an overview:
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c...1988%20Issue

P-20a,b,c,d,e ONE Pound:

The "Government of Gibraltar" £1 had a low first year (a- 1975) issue with the J prefix. Successive years become much easier with plenty of inexpensive 1988 (e) versions found in hoards. It is small & has various shades of red with the Covenant of Gibraltar building featured on the reverse.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note202086.html

P-21a,b FIVE Pounds:

Above is a design of the front facade of Covenant seen on both the £5 & £1. Once again, the 1975 (a) initial signature/year is much tougher than the later 1988 (b) series.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note214350.html

P-22a,b TEN Pounds:


I was very happy to get this initial (a-1975) issue since the early 75 notes are the most challenging. The £10 features the Governor's house on the reverse.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note223408.html

P-23a,b,c TWENTY Pounds:
The £20 is mostly an orange colour & once again the toughest note is the 1975 (a) initial release. Each larger denomination has a larger format & this note also has the Governor's house on the reverse.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note223409.html

P-24 FIFTY Pounds:
This colourful highest denomination was introduced in 1986. As such, it can easily be found in Choice to GEM grades.

The banknotes from this tiny British outcrop south of Spain, the gateway to the Mediterranean, are fairly easy to come by. In 1995 Pound Sterling issue gets a new design & drops the £1. It introduces past military heroes & new landscapes on the reverse. A Millennium (2000 P-29) £5 also was released as well as a £10 (2002, P-30) & Commemorative £20 (P-31). All of these different denominations are easy & fun QEII notes to collect.

Thanks for following @jbuck. I'm afraid my examples for our next country are few & far between.

GREAT BRITAIN
It makes one wonder why it took years for the queen to make an appearance on her own country's banknotes. The old war time designs persisted with the introduction of the Britannia Five Pound (P-371/372) in 1957 & finally the introduction of new design in 1960. I will just cover these two series & once again welcome any additional input from collectors of GB notes. Check out the Bank Note Museum for an overview:
http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/c...967)%20Issue

1960-1977 Series C:

P-373a,b,c,s TEN Shillings:


This smaller (140X67) 10 Bob came in 3 signature varieties (a- O'Brien; b- Hollom; c-Fforde). The O'Brien variety lasted only a year & was the tough one to get in higher grade (pictured is the b "Hollom" signature).
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203302.html

P-374a,b,c,d,e,f,g,s ONE Pound:
This greenish yellow £1 had 7 variations + replacement 'M' prefixes to look out for. If one wasn't searching for the replacement version with the O'Brien signature, one tried to find the WEB-PRESSED 'R' or research P-374b version. Two German printed "G" notes exist P-374d (Hollom) & P-374e (Fforde) are also avidly sought out by collectors.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note202927.html

P-375a,b,c,s FIVE Pounds:
The blueish £5 did not appear until 1963 due to the Britannia series. It has three versions (a-Hollom; b-Fforde & c-Page) with the last signature often being as tough as the first.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203304.html

P-376a,b,c.s TEN Pounds:
The brown £10 had the same signatures as P-375 (released a year later in 1964). It also has a 'M' replacement prefix version like P-374 for the Page signature.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203306.html

1971-1993 Series D:

P-377a,b,s ONE Pound:


This final £1 note lasted only 6 years splitting the (a) Page & (b) Somerset signature varieties equally. The reverse shows an image of Sir Isaac Newton & each successive denomination features a notable figure.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note202356.html

P-378a,b,c,d,e,f FIVE Pounds:
The £5, like the £20, was an early entry of this new series & with the introduction of a security strip, has many varieties. P-378b saw a small "L" on the reverse indicating Lithograph printing (Hollom signature). The first Somerset variety (P-378c) has a thin security strip while P-378d has no signature. The last signature is Gill for P-378f. All of these varieties make this long running denomination fun to collect.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note202802.html

P-379a,b,c,d,e,f TEN Pounds:
The £10 was introduced a little later than the £5 but follows a similar evolution with the "L" (Lithographed) versions & security strips. P-379a starts unimpeded with the "Page" signature. The Somerset (b & c) varieties start with no "L" & end with the "L" type printing. The "d" has the same signature with a security strip. The last 2 signatures are Gill (e) & Kentfield (f). The 1st (a) 'Page' version also has an "M" prefix replacement.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203311.html

P-380a,b,c,d,e, TWENTY Pounds:
The first "a" Fforde signature version was very brief & as such makes this £20 a tough & desirable note to acquire. P-380b-e (b-Page; c&d-Somerset & e-Gill) have been much easier to attain.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203314.html

P-381a,b,c FIFTY Pounds:
The £50 was the last top denomination to be added to the series. It has had an unremarkable/staid release providing few perks for the advanced collector. In 1981, it starts off with the Somerset (a) signature, then we see Gill (b) & it ends with Kentfield (c). Considering how few consumers use this high denomination & how many must have been stashed away in SDB, it is no wonder the interest in these has remained tepid.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note203317.html

There has been a lot of interest in the Web Press P-374b £1 & the various 'M' replacements & lower denominations of both the C & D series over the years. Many collectors also try to obtain change-over or short prefixes, errors & special serial numbers.

Lovely English examples!


That is very interesting. I accept that new note designs require more lead time than coins; however, eight years seems a bit much.

That is a good point.

Very interesting!

Lovely examples!