Lot 1645

Description

Irwin District, Dongarra, Western Australia, ten shillings, proof, currency note, not dated, (188- printed), numbered 984, not watermarked, value in upper corners as 10 SHILLINGS and in lower left TEN SHILLINGS, imprint 'Arnall & Jackson, Melbourne', stating on front 'On Demand, I Promise to pay the Bearer at Dongarra the sum of TEN SHILLINGS Value received', not signed, all within rectangular spiral border, red on white. Three folds, two small stain spots at base, otherwise extremely fine and extremely rare if not unique.

Nothing is known of the issuer. Western Australia compared to other states had the most shortage of regular currency in the 19th century and therefore had a number of unusual tradesmen's notes issued. Most issues were prepared initially as proofs and some of these proofs provide the only form of the existence of the business and the intention of a note issue. Consequently it is not known if the notes were issued or only proofs were prepared as this note and the next note are apparently only known from the proofs and if they circulated none survived. Dongarra is near Geralton but the notes appear to not be connected with the gold discoveries.