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10 Shillings 1957, Bermuda

in Krause book Number: 19b
Years of issue: 01.05.1957
Edition: J/1 99999
Signatures: Assistant colonial treasurer: Mr. Ernest Frederick E. Lumsden, Colonial treasurer: Mr. William West Davidson
Serie: 1952 Issue
Specimen of: 20.10.1952
Material: Cotton fiber
Size (mm): 140 х 70
Printer: Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company Limited, New Malden

* All pictures marked magnify are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.

** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.

10 Shillings 1957

Description

Watermark:

watermark

Word "Bermuda" and Arabesque pattern.

The Arabesque used as a term in European art, including Byzantine art, is, on one definition, a decorative motif comprising a flowing and voluted formalistic acanthus composition. It is generally simpler than the Arabesque in Islamic art, and does not involve elements that cross over each other.

Avers:

10 Shillings 1957

HM The Queen Elizabeth II

The original photograph, on which the engraving is based, was an official portrait taken around 1952 by Dorothy Wilding, in Buckingham palace.

HM The Queen Elizabeth II.

This early portrait of The Queen is believed to have been adapted from one of the photographs of Her Majesty, taken shortly after the death of her father in 1952. However, it is possible that this portrait was taken slightly earlier than some of the other portraits by Dorothy Wilding, which are described below, possibly before the death of her father. The portrait appears to have been taken specifically for coins and postage stamps, which traditionally show the profile of the monarch. However, some banknote designs by Thomas De La Rue had previously used the profiles of King George V and King George VI, and the profile of Her Majesty was required to continue the use of these designs.

This portrait depicts Queen Elizabeth in an evening dress, wearing a diamond necklace and simple pearl earrings.

South African Necklace and Bracelet

The diamond necklace was presented to Elizabeth in April 1947, while she was still a princess, as a gift from the people of South Africa. The necklace was originally constructed with twenty-one large diamonds, connected by links that contained two small brilliant-cut diamonds mounted to either side of a baguette diamond. Shortly after Elizabeth ascended the throne, she had the necklace shortened to fifteen large stones, with the remaining stones being made into a matching bracelet. The necklace worn in this portrait is the longer version yet. (From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault)

Occasionally, HM The Queen opts for a simple single pearl stud, an option she's used for years. These are usually seen at less formal occasions, or private ones, and were more common in her earlier years. Being such a simple design, it is often impossible to tell if appearances through the years are a single pair or different pairs (it seems highly likely she has more than one pair in her collection), and so they will all be grouped here regardless. (From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault)

Under, in the frame, is The Gates Fort in St. George's Parish.

Gates Fort

Gates Fort.

This small but historic fort is more of an observation post than a fort. It is a mile due south of Fort St. Catherine along the coastal Cut Road, and the same distance east of the town of St. George.

It was constructed between 1612 and 1615 and takes its name from Sir Thomas Gates (see below), Governor elect of Jamestown, Virginia, from 1609. Because he was shipwrecked off Bermuda along with Admiral Sir George Somers and colonists from the flagship "Sea Venture," he governed Bermuda from 1609-1610 before he arrived in Jamestown. (He was not the first Governor of Virginia, was preceded by Edward Wingfield, John Ratcliffe, John Smith, George Percy and possibly others).

Its chief attractions today are its stunning views of open sea and its site at the edge of the "Town Cut," the tailor-made narrow channel leading from the open sea into St. George's Harbor. It offers a perfect vantage point and a photographic opportunity for observing at very close quarters large cruise ships, when wind conditions permit, carefully navigating the Town Cut to enter St. George's. (bermuda-online.org)

Nerium

At the bottom, right and left of frame are flowers of Oleander.

It is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as oleander, from its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea.

Denominations in numerals are in all corners, in words are in center.

Revers:

10 Shillings 1957

The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is the official coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch of the United Kingdom, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion. Variants of the Royal Arms are used by other members of the Royal Family; and by the British government in connection with the administration and government of the country. In Scotland, the Queen has a separate version of the Royal Arms, a variant of which is used by the Scotland Office.

The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England, in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure Flory - counterflory of Scotland, and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a statant guardant lion wearing the imperial crown, himself on another representation of that crown. The Dexter supporter is a likewise crowned English lion and the sinister, a Scottish unicorn. According to legend a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast, therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained, as were both supporting unicorns in the Royal coat of arms of Scotland. In the greenery below, a thistle, Tudor Rose and shamrock are present, representing Scotland, England and Ireland respectively. The coat features both the motto of English monarchs - Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and the motto of the Order of the Garter - Honi soit qui mal y pense (shame upon him who thinks evil of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield.

On the right and left sides are denominations.

Comments:

Interesting fact:

Bermuda named after their discoverer, the Spanish explorer Juan Bermudez, who visited them in 1503. However, sharpen its focus on them the Spaniards did not. And in 1609 there appeared the English colonists. The reason for their appearance - a shipwreck. Officially Bermuda are ruled England from 1684.