Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Banknotes issued by Joint Stock Banks prior to 1929
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Here is an interesting pair of multi-branch £1 notes issued by the Northern Banking Company in 1916. It shows the transition from a variety with red serial numbers to black serial numbers.
Attachments
Northern Bank 1 Pound 1st May 1916 J.Thompson.jpg
Northern Bank 1 Pound 1st May 1916 J.Thompson.jpg (168.06 KiB) Viewed 16307 times
Northern Bank 1 Pound 1st Nov. 1916 Hugh Craig.jpg
Northern Bank 1 Pound 1st Nov. 1916 Hugh Craig.jpg (159.92 KiB) Viewed 16307 times
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1916
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by Mac »

That's an interesting pair of notes, splitting the prefix across two varieties.
I shall add those to the Northern Bank page on the main web site.
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

It is not certain which Irish Joint Stock Bank was the first to introduce multi-branch notes. However, it seems likely that it was one of the Belfast based banks in the early 1850’s. There are no early surviving notes from this period for the Belfast Banking Company but two issued notes are known for the Ulster Banking Company dated 1st July 1852. A Northern Banking Company specimen is known with just 12 branches and a date of October 1st 1851 penciled in the bottom margin (see attached).

Based on these observations, the Northern Banking Company may have been the first bank to issue multi-branch notes in Ireland.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company  1 Pound Specimen 1st October 1851.JPG
Northern Banking Company 1 Pound Specimen 1st October 1851.JPG (142.52 KiB) Viewed 15347 times
Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen 1st October 1851 in Pencil.JPG
Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen 1st October 1851 in Pencil.JPG (43.15 KiB) Viewed 15347 times
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1916
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by Mac »

DOC wrote: 23 May 2020 19:53Based on these observations, the Northern Banking Company may have been the first bank to issue multi-branch notes in Ireland.
I think Bank of Ireland first introduced the concept of multibranch notes, when they started issuing notes with two branches on them in addition to Dublin in the 1830s.

The earliest Bank of Ireland note with more than two branches on it that I have recorded is 1855—a protomultibranch note with 6 branches.
However, there is a gap between 1852 and 1855 where we haven't seen any notes. The Northern beats any notes in that gap that with fully engraved branches from 1851.

Thanks for the pic, I will add it to the main site listing!
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

The Northern Banking Company experimented with different designs of multi-branch notes in the early 1850’s. Here is an attractive trial design with 12 branches, most likely printed in 1850 or 1851. The design was not adopted probably because it would be difficult to accommodate additional branches in the wavy borders as the Bank expanded its network.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company 1 Pound Proof ca 1851.jpg
Northern Banking Company 1 Pound Proof ca 1851.jpg (139.31 KiB) Viewed 14417 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Five sub-types or variants have been observed for Northern Banking Company multi-branch £1 notes as follows:

(a) Multi-branch note with Ent’d bottom left (ca.1851-1856)
(b) Similar to (a) but with check numbers (ca.1859-1863)
(c) Ent’d now omitted but check numbers present (ca.1864-1866)
(d) Similar to (c) with check numbers discontinued (ca. 1866-1868)
(e) Similar to (d) but value panel lower left in white rather than shaded (1868-1883)

An example of Variant (a) from 1851 was posted previously. Examples of Variant b and Variant c are attached. An issued example of Variant c is known with central blue panel and is illustrated on the Irishpapermoney website. This is a one of the earliest examples of the use of a coloured panel on an Irish banknote. The function of the check numbers on the £1 notes is not known.
Attachments
Variant b Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen ca. 1861 17 Branches.JPG
Variant b Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen ca. 1861 17 Branches.JPG (130.31 KiB) Viewed 12850 times
Variant c Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen ca.1866 25 Branches.jpg
Variant c Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen ca.1866 25 Branches.jpg (165.08 KiB) Viewed 12850 times
User avatar
ThePloughman
UNC
UNC
Posts: 276
Joined: 04 Nov 2016 16:37

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by ThePloughman »

Maybe check numbers are like plate numbers on the Bank of Ireland bills.
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Good point, there is a similarity with the Bank of Ireland plate numbers. Strange though that the check numbers were only used on the £1 denomination for The Northern Banking Company.
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Here are examples of the Variant d and Variant e £1 Northern Banking Company notes. In the 1875 specimen, extra branches have been added to the main body of the note bottom left, as the frame bordering the note is full.
Attachments
Variant d Northern Bank £1 Specimen ca 1867 31 Branches.jpg
Variant d Northern Bank £1 Specimen ca 1867 31 Branches.jpg (160.91 KiB) Viewed 12711 times
Variant e Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen ca.1875 44 Branches.jpg
Variant e Northern Bank 1 Pound Specimen ca.1875 44 Branches.jpg (164.48 KiB) Viewed 12711 times
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1916
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by Mac »

DOC wrote: 09 Dec 2020 23:46...check numbers were only used on the £1 denomination for The Northern Banking Company.
Possibly a reflection of a much larger issue of £1 notes than of other denominations.
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Yes, the lower issue rate of the higher denominations probably explains why check numbers were not required. The absence of check numbers reduces the number of design variants for Northern Banking Company multi-branch £5 notes to three as follows: Variants a, Variant d and Variant e.

(a) Multi-branch note with Ent’d bottom left (ca.1851-1863)
(b) Similar to (a) but with check numbers (ca.1859-1863)
(c) Ent’d now omitted but check numbers present (ca.1864-1866)
(d) Ent’d now omitted (ca. 1864-1868)
(e) Similar to (d) but value panel lower left in white rather than shaded (1868-1883)

Examples of the known £5 design variants are attached.
Attachments
Variant a Northern Banking Company 5 Pounds Proof ca.1863 21 Branches.jpg
Variant a Northern Banking Company 5 Pounds Proof ca.1863 21 Branches.jpg (139.07 KiB) Viewed 12587 times
Variant d Northern Banking Company 5 Pounds Proof ca. 1864 22 Branches.JPG
Variant d Northern Banking Company 5 Pounds Proof ca. 1864 22 Branches.JPG (133.05 KiB) Viewed 12587 times
Variant e Northern Banking Company 5 Pounds Proof ca.1872 42 Branches.jpg
Variant e Northern Banking Company 5 Pounds Proof ca.1872 42 Branches.jpg (152.63 KiB) Viewed 12587 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Only two Variants have been observed for Northern Banking Company £10 notes, namely, Variant a and Variant d. Unlike the £1 and £5 notes, the appearance of the value panel was not changed.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company Variant a 10 Pounds Proof ca.1856 13 Branches.jpg
Northern Banking Company Variant a 10 Pounds Proof ca.1856 13 Branches.jpg (118.38 KiB) Viewed 12479 times
Northern Banking Company Variant d 10 Pounds Proof ca.1868 34 Branches.JPG
Northern Banking Company Variant d 10 Pounds Proof ca.1868 34 Branches.JPG (164.76 KiB) Viewed 12479 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Only two Variants have been observed for Northern Banking Company multi-branch £20 notes. Variant a was issued circa 1851-1863 and would have had an area for an Ent’d signature, bottom left. The second Variant d has Ent’d omitted with issue dates circa 1864-1883. An example of Variant d is attached.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company 20 Pounds Proof Variant d ca.1866 25 Branches.jpg
Northern Banking Company 20 Pounds Proof Variant d ca.1866 25 Branches.jpg (177.28 KiB) Viewed 12309 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Here is a £50 Northern Banking Company specimen note from ca. 1858. This is believed to have been the highest denomination note issued by the bank prior to 1912. The attached example is a Variant a note, with an area for an Ent’d signature, bottom left. It is possible that a Variant d note, without Ent’d, was also issued.

It is interesting to see that there are no branches other than Belfast on the 1858 specimen note and it seems that this high denomination note was only payable at Head Office. It is possible that other branches may have been added by hand stamp making it payable at an individual branch as well as Head Office.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company 50 Pounds Specimen Belfast ca. 1858.jpg
Northern Banking Company 50 Pounds Specimen Belfast ca. 1858.jpg (174.96 KiB) Viewed 12052 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

The Northern Banking Company adopted limited liability on the 1st September 1883 with the bank title changing to ‘Northern Banking Company Limited’. The first notes had 46 branches changing in 1888 to 47 branches with the addition of Dublin. At this point the design was changed to include Belfast and Dublin as Principal Offices over the denomination panels. Hence, the notes with 46 branches can be considered as a distinct type as illustrated on the Irishpapermoney site.

Here are examples of £1 notes of this type with 46 branches, an 1883 proof and an issued note dated 1st September 1886.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company Limited 1 Pound 1st Sept. 1886 MacNamara.jpg
Northern Banking Company Limited 1 Pound 1st Sept. 1886 MacNamara.jpg (54.69 KiB) Viewed 11057 times
Northern Banking Company Limited 1 Pound Proof ca. 1883 46 Branches.jpg
Northern Banking Company Limited 1 Pound Proof ca. 1883 46 Branches.jpg (40.25 KiB) Viewed 11057 times
User avatar
Mac
Taoiseach • Admin
Taoiseach • Admin
Posts: 1916
Joined: 23 Jan 2015 15:05

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by Mac »

Thanks for posting the 1886 £1 note, I will add it to the Northern Bank pages on the web site.
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Here are examples of proof £5 and £10 notes from 1883 with 46 branches. Issued examples of these notes are not known outside the bank’s archives.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company Limited 5 Pounds Proof ca.1883 46 Branches.jpg
Northern Banking Company Limited 5 Pounds Proof ca.1883 46 Branches.jpg (173.27 KiB) Viewed 10946 times
Nothern Banking Company Limited 10 Pounds Proof ca.1883 46 Branches.jpg
Nothern Banking Company Limited 10 Pounds Proof ca.1883 46 Branches.jpg (170.44 KiB) Viewed 10946 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Here is an example of a proof £20 note from 1883 with 46 branches.
Attachments
Northern Banking Compamy Limited 20 Pounds Proof ca.1883 46 Branches.jpg
Northern Banking Compamy Limited 20 Pounds Proof ca.1883 46 Branches.jpg (222.16 KiB) Viewed 10401 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

Here is a £50 Northern Banking Company Limited proof note from ca. 1883. It is interesting to see that there are no branches other than Belfast and it seems that this high denomination note was only payable at Head Office. It is possible that other branches may have been added by hand stamp making it payable at an individual branch as well as Head Office.
Attachments
Northern Baning Company Limited 50 Pounds Proof ca.1883.jpg
Northern Baning Company Limited 50 Pounds Proof ca.1883.jpg (46.3 KiB) Viewed 9303 times
User avatar
DOC
UNC
UNC
Posts: 1105
Joined: 26 Jan 2015 18:15

Re: Northern Banking Company Notes Pre-1929

Post by DOC »

The Northern Bank took over the business of Ball & Co. (Dublin) in 1888 and established a branch there. From 1888, the note designed was modified adding Belfast and Dublin as principal offices, top left and top right, above the serial number panels.

Here is an example of a £1 note of this type dated, 1st June 1894. The note is uniface. Reverse printing was introduced in 1907 for the £1 notes.
Attachments
Northern Banking Company Ltd 1 Pound 1st June 1894 Thomas Stuart.jpg
Northern Banking Company Ltd 1 Pound 1st June 1894 Thomas Stuart.jpg (148.47 KiB) Viewed 8860 times
Northern Banking Company Ltd 1 Pound 1st June 1894 Reverse.jpg
Northern Banking Company Ltd 1 Pound 1st June 1894 Reverse.jpg (122.89 KiB) Viewed 8860 times
Post Reply