Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

Banknotes issued by Irish Private Banks ca1700–ca1833
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Mac
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Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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I came across this 'minor' bank in "The Old Private Banks of Munster" when I was looking up something else. The book makes mention of a note issued by Moylan in a Cork museum. I found a scan of one in my records!

This bank appears to have been a one man operation, Denis Moylan, likely an example of a merchant who engaged in note issue for a time. Kenny and Turner list it as having 'Failed' in 1814.

A well printed issued note note for Three Guineas and a Half.
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

Post by DOC »

Mac, very interesting and a rare denomination.

It seems that Denis Moylan was a merchant who at one time received the honour of 'Freeman of Cork City'.

https: //corkrecords.com/images/freemen1710-1841.pdf
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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He probably reverted to being a merchant after he stopped banking activities.
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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Mac, I was more than a little surprised to stumble across an image of a Denis Moylan 1.5 Guinea note in an article by Maberly Phillips that I had long-forgotten. Apart from an amusing anecdote, there was little information provided regarding the banking activities of Denis Moylan.

It is interesting to see that the same date appears on the 1.5 Guinea and 3.5 Guinea notes.
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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He might have just had one single issue of notes, all with the same date.
There may be a third note in a Cork Museum, unless the 1.5 Guinea pictured is that note.
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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Yes, it seems that Denis Moylan was more a merchant than a banker and he issued banknotes to fund seasonal purchases of farm produce such as corn and wheat. There may be just one issue. It will be interesting to see if any further notes turn up.
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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The 3 Guineas & Half note illustrated above is an interesting denomination and seldom seen. The top right side of the note is clipped so it is difficult to read the equivalent in Irish currency. It appears to be £3 19s 7d but when you do the calculation for conversion it should be £3 19s 7 1/2d. So the 1/2d appears to be clipped from the note !
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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DOC wrote: 11 Apr 2021 12:30So the 1/2d appears to be clipped from the note !
Not by design I am sure!

I just posted the Irish Numismatics article on Denis Moylan's bank from 1975. It pictures the same clipped note, and the 1 guinea and a half note also in this thread. There are not many notes from Moylan's bank turning up.
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Re: Denis Moylan, Cork 1813-1814

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Yes, I doubt that the corner of the note was clipped deliberately :) However, it would be great to see a fully intact example of this note or a 3½ Guineas note from another issuer.
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