Lot 2870

Description

The Commercial Bank of South Australia, Adelaide, one pound, 2nd day of May 1881 (date printed), No.B98122, signed by manager and accountant, imprint of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Engravers & c. London (MVR 2). Several small holes and a 2cm tear in top, a full note, nearly very good and very rare.

This bank was founded in 1878 but failed in 1886 due to land speculation and the depredations of a dishonest manager and accountant. The migration of Germans to South Australia at this time meant new business and this bank to win that business placed the value on the note in German (Ein Pfund), as well as English. The Town and Country Bank also bore the value of the denomination in German. The Commercial Bank of Australia issued notes with the denomination in Chinese, consequently this small group of three bank issues are the only notes to use a language other than English in Australia.