Top
header Notes Collection

5 Pounds Sterling 1972, Kingdom of Great Britain

in Banknotes Book Number: SC121b
Years of issue: 04.09.1972
Edition:
Signatures: Governor: Lord Clydesmuir, Treasurer and General manager: Mr. T.W. Walker
Serie: Scotland
Specimen of: 10.08.1970
Material: Cotton fiber
Size (mm): 146 x 78
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.

5 Pounds Sterling 1972

Description

Watermark:

watermark

Repeated Onopordum acanthium (cotton thistle, Scotch thistle), which for more then 500 years already is a national emblem and symbol of Scotland.

Avers:

5 Pounds Sterling 1972

coat of arms

The coat of arms of the Bank of Scotland.

BANK OF SCOTLAND, Governor and Company of.

"Azur a Sanct Andrew's cross argent betwixt four bezants. On a suteable helmet mantled

azur, doubling argent and wreath of their colours is sett for their crest a Cornu-copia diffuseing money or, supported by two women, she on the dexter representing Abundance holding in her hand a Cornu-copia as the former, and that on the sinister representing Justice and holding in her hand a balance. The Motto in Escroll above, "Tanto uberior".

Devise ("under which their notesdo circulat") being "Scotia", represented by a Lady holding in her right hand a Cornu-copia pouring out money, and in her left a thistle with these words over it, "Tanto uberior".

[Granted ist March 1701, and recorded in Lyon Register 20th February

1849. The supporters are habited in green over a white underskirt].

Onopordum acanthium

On left side is Onopordum acanthium (cotton thistle, Scotch thistle), which for more then 500 years already is a national emblem and symbol of Scotland.

It is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Native to Europe and Western Asia from the Iberian Peninsula east to Kazakhstan, and north to central Scandinavia, and widely naturalised elsewhere. It's a vigorous biennial plant with coarse, spiny leaves and conspicuous spiny-winged stems.

In general, some of the species of thistle is a true historic Scottish thistle, can not always determine even Scottish antiquarians as not necessarily that Scotland is home Onopordon Acanthium.

There is a strong opinion, that it is this kind of thistle was originally the emblem of the House of Stuart, and has become a national symbol, most likely thanks to an impressive appearance. Some experts call the candidate for a likely candidate other species, native of Scotland, for example Cirsium vulgare.

On right side is a portrait of the celebrated author Sir Walter Scott figures prominently on the front of each denomination. This is in recognition of Scott's defence of the Scottish £1 note, under threat from the Westminster Parliament in 1826. Writing a series of public letters under the pseudonym "Malachi Malagrowther", Scott successfully led the campaign against currency reform in Scotland and the Scots were allowed to keep their pound notes.

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, FRSE (15 August 1771 - 21 September 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet.

Scott was the first English-language author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers in Europe, Australia, and North America. His novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor.

Although primarily remembered for his extensive literary works and his political engagement, Scott was an advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession, and throughout his career combined his writing and editing work with his daily occupation as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire.

A prominent member of the Tory establishment in Edinburgh, Scott was an active member of the Highland Society and served a long term as President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1820-32).

Denominations in numerals are in lower left and top right corners. Centered in words.

Revers:

5 Pounds Sterling 1972

In center, top and lower is a thistle.

On the right side is a Pallas, the goddess of weaving, surmounted by the Latin motto "Ditat" ("she enriches") which appeared on the seal of the British Linen Bank. This Scottish bank, founded by Royal Charter in Edinburgh in 1746, merged with Bank of Scotland in 1971.

On the top is the saltire cross and gold bezants, which form part of Bank of Scotland's coat of arms, granted in 1701.

On the left side is a ship in full sail, taken from the Union Bank of Scotland's coat of arms. Originally the motif of the Ship Bank, which Glasgow-based institution subsequently merged with the Union Bank of Scotland. This latter was then absorbed by Bank of Scotland in 1955.

Denominations in numerals are in the top corners and in center.

Comments:

Although, Scotland is not an independent state, and is part of the UK. Three Scottish banks have the right to issue their own banknotes. Officially, these notes are not called "Scottish pounds" and their denomination designated in pound sterling. In the strict sense of the term "Legal Tender" banknotes of Scottish banks are not even legal tender in Scotland, but can be taken throughout the United Kingdom.