Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

Derby Old Bank, Five Pounds, for Crompton, Newton & Co, black on white uniface proof on light paper with two shields of arms at upper left (Grant 993). A few spots of foxing and three pinholes, otherwise good very fine, rare (£250-300)

Grant records this bank opening for business in 1685, which pre-dates the Bank of England and makes it one of the earliest banks in the country. It traded successfully through the financial crises of the 1820s, and traces through to the National Westminster Bank