Kinsale, Co. Cork, IOU's ca. 1804

Banknotes issued by Irish Private Banks ca1700–ca1833
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DOC
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Kinsale, Co. Cork, IOU's ca. 1804

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Notes of small denomination were issued in Ireland in the early 1800’s to compensate for the chronic shortage of coinage. Many merchants, shop keepers and companies issued these so called ‘silver notes’ but few examples survive today.

Here is an example of a note in the form of an IOU for 3 pence associated with the town of Kinsale, in county Cork. Details about the issuer have yet to be confirmed but there may be a clue in the monogram which has the initials ‘JHE’.

This is the lowest denomination note seen to date for any issuer in Ireland although lower denominations may exist as a replacement for copper coinage and as such would qualify as ‘copper notes’.
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Kinsale IOU 3 Pence ca.1804.jpg
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Re: Kinsale, Co. Cork, IOU's ca. 1804

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An issued example of a 3½ pence note is also known. This note, dated 17th October 1804, appears to be signed by a William Killey.
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Kinsale IOU 3 Pence Halfpenny Oct.17th 1804.jpg
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Mac
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Re: Kinsale, Co. Cork, IOU's ca. 1804

Post by Mac »

The number looks like 9863 or g.863 - a sizable issue either way.
The Kinsale notes are quite attractive, and unusual in being printed in a colour other than black.
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