British, Irish and World Banknotes

Bank of England, Jasper Q. Hollom, £5, housed in a blue leather presentation wallet, 21 February 1963, serial number A01 000003, Queen Elizabeth II at right, reverse blue, seated Britannia at centre, exceptionally minor handling and with a hint of toning in some marginal areas but overall uncirculated and a wonderful note. The wallet has a few scuffed areas but is in superb condition inside and out.
EPM B297 £12,000-£16,000

In 1956, The Queen agreed to her portrait appearing on forthcoming Bank of England notes. The 10/- and £1, issued in 1960, were the first, followed by this new £5 in 1963. The note was designed by Reynolds Stone and is very much in keeping with the 10/- and £1 already designed by Robert Austin.

This serial number A01 000003 note was presented to Harold Macmillan, shortly before the premature end of his second term as Prime Minister in 1963. Serial numbers one and two are housed in the Royal Collection, having been presented to The Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh.

This lot represents the lowest serial number for any £5 Bank of England note featuring The Queen available to commerce, making it an important and remarkable piece of numismatic history. Along with the previous lot in this auction, this is the first time that a serial number three note, for a new design, has ever been offered on the open market.