Within  the modern Bank of England series there are many ways in which to start a collection English Banknotes, such as :-

One denomination (10/-, £1, etc), Signature types, Error banknotes, Special numbers, Replacements, White banknotes, Treasury banknotes, Trial banknotes, Specimen banknotes, Bernhard forgeries, etc etc

• Series A -1928-1962 - The English Britannia period with 5 signatures and a minimum of 14 x 10/- and 14 x £1's. There are also varieties to collect such as Thread / No Thread banknotes, Replacements banknotes and Sub Series.

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• Series B - 1957-1967 - (only one note) A short lived series incorporating, in my opinion, the most artistic £5 designed by Stephen Gooden R.A. Although officially called Helmeted Britannia, the note is often referred to as the Lion and Key banknote (B277 / B280).
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• Series C - 1960-1979 - The English Portrait period with 4 signatories, 3 x 10/-, 4 x £1, 3 x £5 and 3 x £10 to collect. These were the first banknotes the Queen consented for her portrait to appear.
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• Series D - 1970-1994 - The English Pictorial period began with a £20 banknote signed by Fforde,quite scarce. The first time this denomination had appeared since the early 1940's. This series includes 4 signatories, 2 x £1, 3 x £5, 4 x £10, 4 x £20 and 3 x £50. There are a great many varieties to collect.
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• Series E - 1990 - 1999 - The English Historical period includes, 3 x £5, 2 x £10, 3 x £20 and 2 x £50 covering 5 signature varieties. The current Chief Cashier is Andrew Bailey.  The £20 featured Sir Edward Elgar. The £10 banknote features Charles Darwin. In May 2002 a new £5 banknote featuring Elizabeth Fry was introduced. The first prefix of HA01 with Merlyn Lowther's signature, continuing into the Bailey signature, however, due to production problems these notes were recalled then re-issued in August 2002. The £10 banknote featuring Dickens will not be deemed legal tender as of November 21st 2003. The £50 Bailey banknote began with prefix M01.  The £50 banknote is well overdue for a change.
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• Series F - 2007- ongoing - The New Historical English Banknotes design commenced with a £20 featuring the Scottish Economist, Adam Smith. New denominations are expected in 2008/9. 

          Treasury Banknote T 1  Bradbury  1914

Within each series, some changes will have occurred, mainly security / economy related. Our banknotes have become smaller over time.

I use English Paper Money by Duggleby and recommend it as the most useful for Treasury and Bank of England banknotes. For the Isle of Man banknotes I list by Pick & Quarmby's "Banks and Banknotes in the Isle of Man" . A profusely illustrated book including Internment Camp, Local issues and IOM banks. For Jersey and Guernsey banknotes, I tend to use the Pick Catalogues.

Scottish banknotes, as with the Irish banknotes, I give as much detail as possible. The two Scottish catalogues by James Douglas are out of print - they give details up to 1984 and 1986 respectively. A 3rd volume covers the Clydesdale Bank banknotes and its issues and is a refreshing opportunity to obtain information about this interesting bank and its banknotes. Otherwise I use Pick.

I can empathise with any collector of Banknotes - the banknotes are lovely, and the pockets not so deep. If, like me, you tend to see more than you can afford at present, call me and discuss my layaway facilities. Peter and I are always at your disposal to discuss your requirements - all letters / Emails are responded to. Once you have purchased from the list you will automatically be added to the list / Email Database. Lists covering a specialised subject sent by post in the UK . £5 annually to non buyers.

GRADING

Every banknote is graded according to the following grading abbreviations:

• UNC -   Uncirculated, mint condition
• AUNC - About Uncirculated. Has a count bounce mark / machine count mark
• EF -       Extremely Fine. Has one harsh crease or 3 light folds
• VF -       Very Fine. Shows more signs of handling and wear, may have several folds
• F -          Fine. Shows considerable circulation, lots of folds / wrinkles
• VG -      Very Good. A well used note, will have damage, but complete
• G -         Good. A well worn and damaged note from being well circulated

Within the perimeters of the above, if any of our banknotes have ink annotations, pin holes, these will be listed separately.

All banknotes are sent on 7 days approval with a Money Back Guarantee. I accept :- Cheques, Credit Cards, BACs payments, Cash, US dollar cheques, Euro cheques, Postal Orders :-  made payable to Pam West or British Notes. For security reasons, all Post is sent from West Promotions.

         B383  Replacement LL--  English Banknote

 USEFUL CATALOGUES

There are many useful banknote catalogues that can help a collector. This is a list of those I recommend :-

• English Paper Money    by  V. Duggleby   7th Ed  

  Covers :-  Treasury Banknotes, White Banknotes, included for the first time Branch notes, Firsts & Lasts, etc

•  Collectors Banknotes Treasury and Bank of England   by Pam West and Christ Henry Perkins 2008 
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• Pick Vol. 1. 9th Ed. Covers Specialised banknote issues - those banks that no longer issue notes, world wide
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• Pick Vol. II. 11th Ed. Covers General  banknote issues 1650 to 1960 - the banks that currently issue notes
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• Pick Vol. III 13th Ed. Covers Modern banknote  issues from 1961 to 2008 - all issuing banks
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• 20th Century Scottish Banknotes - Vol 1  Bank of Scotland, The British Linen Bank, The Union Bank
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• 20th Century Scottish Banknotes - Vol II  Royal Bank,  National Bank,  Commercial Bank and  National Commercial Bank
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• 20th Century Scottish Banknotes - Vol III  Clydesdale Bank and its constituent Banks
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• Banks and Banking in the Isle of Man  by  E. Quarmby  1994    Covers Isle of Man banknotes.
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• Currencies of the Anglo-Norman Isles  by  A.L.T. McCammon  1984    Covers Jersey banknotes, Guernsey banknotes.