Lot 2980

Description

The National Bank of Australasia, Melbourne, Victoria, uniface one pound front and back, not dated, but c.1895, not numbered, specimen note, unsigned, perforated 'SPECIMEN' twice, overprinted in red 'SPECIMEN', on paper, imprint of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Engravers & c. London', vignettes to left of woman as a personification of Victoria, and '1 POUND' in oval frame on right, ornamental round tablet with '1' in corners and 'L ONE' in frame lower left, all within rectangular ornate geometric border, 'MELBOURNE' above and 'VICTORIA' below, states below, 'On Demand I promise to pay to the Bearer ONE POUND Sterling at Melbourne, For The National Bank of Australasia', yellow and red 'ONE' across note, rainbow back with '1' in centre, bank name around with profile facing helmeted head of Grecian women on either side, '1' in corners, perforated 'SPECIMEN'and overprinted in red 'SPECIMEN' below, rectangular block over the whole back, front note green, orange and black on white, back note green and orange on white (Vort-Ronald, Type four 1(M), comments on bank and type p.175-185, similar note issued illustrated Fig.188 [p.179]). Stuck down and mounted on a thick white card base edged in gold, framed and glazed. Extremely fine and extremely rare. (2)

Several proofs are known of the National Bank of Australasia (1858-1982) and today known as the National Australia Bank (NAB), which was domiciled in Australian State capital cities. Each state used a distinctive personification on the front of the note.