In the case of Irish Legal Tender Notes (LTN), Specimen banknotes of each denomination were produced when a major alteration of the design occurred. This was generally, though not always a change in signature.
Specimen notes were produced when changes were made in the title of the issuing authority from Currency Commission Irish Free State to Currency Commission Ireland, and again when changed to Central Bank of Ireland. The signatures remained unchanged during these alterations.
It appears that Specimens of Currency Commission Ireland banknotes were not produced in 1940 on the occasion of the incorporation into the design of the wartime special markings, colloquially referred to as 'war codes', as none have been seen. There was no change of signature at this point.
On the occasion of the introduction of metallic security threads in lower denominations, specimens were produced.
In the mid-1970s Specimen banknotes were also produced by each of the printers when De La Rue and the Central Bank of Ireland were both producing the same denominations of the same signature variety, with differing serial number styles.
The specimens illustrated on the linked pages in this section are not a complete set of what was produced. In some cases not all denominations have been seen in specimen form of a particular signature variety.
Other specimen notes which have not yet been seen may also have been produced for non-signature change alterations.
Dimensions are from actual measurement of notes, dated 10.9.28. Note: the dimensions varied by several millimetres, depending on the cut.
10 shilling Note, 138 x 78 mm;
£1 Note, 151 x 84 mm; £5 Note, 165 x 92 mm;
£10 Note, 191 x 108 mm; £20 Note, 203 x 114 mm;
£50 Note, 203 x 114 mm; £100 Note, 203 x 114 mm.
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10
The Currency Commission was wound up and replaced by the Central Bank of Ireland on 1 February 1943. The title of the Issuing Authority on banknotes was altered to reflect this.
Special Identification Marking (SIM) — War code
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10, £20
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
De La Rue Specimen notes: J. J. McElligott. T. K. Whitaker.
Denominations: 10 Shillings, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
De La Rue Specimen notes: M. Ó Muimhneacháin. T. K. Whitaker.
Denominations: £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
Denominations: £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100
Denominations: £1, £10, £20, £50, £100
Special Sections and Articles
The Transition of Irish Currency, Irish banknotes 1918–1928
The Partition of Irish Currency, Irish banknotes 1928–1930
Banknote Design Evolution 1824 to 1916
Irish Three Pound Notes
Contemporary Forgeries of Early Irish Banknotes, ca1800-1930
Limerick Soviet Notes
Irish World War 2 Banknote Issues
A Series Irish Ten Shilling Notes
B Series 100 Pound Note
Low Number Irish Banknotes
Irish Joint Stock Banks of Note Issue from 1783
Irish Legal Tender Note Specimens
Ploughman Scan Survey (PSS)
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