27 July 2026
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Isle of Man News

First Manx Bank note expected to fetch over £10k at auction

The very first Manx Bank note ever issued will be included in an auction at Noonans Mayfair and is expected to fetch £10,000-15,000.

The £1 note with serial number one dates from November 1882 is decorated with an image of the Tower of Refuge in Douglas.

Andrew Pattison, Head of the Banknotes Department at Noonans said: “This is an absolutely astonishing note and, in my opinion, the finest Isle of Man note in existence!

“The imagery on it is iconic, showing locations everyone on the island knows and loves, and the fact that it is serial number one of the issue is a remarkable bonus.”

The note will be lot 754; The sale on March 14 will include a large variety of banknotes from English Provincial banks as well as banks in Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey.

Auction

A rare, if not unique £500 note will also be offered at Noonans Mayfair in a sale of British and Irish banknotes.

Dating from October 1929, it is estimated to fetch £20,000-24,000 and is the only known surviving £500 note signed by Basil G Catterns, who was Chief Cashier between 1929-1934. 

It is being sold by a long-time collector of British notes who has owned it for almost 15 years.

Mr Pattison commented: “This is a staggeringly rare and important note, and it is in wonderful clean condition, especially considering it is now almost 100 years old.

“For anyone who collects Catterns notes or indeed any Bank of England notes, this would be likely the pinnacle of their collection.”

This is one of several rare Bank of England notes in the sale – all of which have rarely been seen at auction for several decades. 

An exceptionally early £50 note dating from April 1780 is estimated at £26,000-32,000. Signed by Abraham Newland, who was Chief Cashier between 1782-1807 It is being sold by another long-term collector of Bank of England notes.

As Mr Pattison said: “Abraham Newland was quite a character, who apparently slept in the bank for 25 years. This is one of only two notes of this denomination to be recorded – so it is truly remarkable.” 

A £100 note from the Birmingham branch of the Bank of England, dated May 1894 and signed by Horace G. Bowen, who was Chief Cashier between 1893 -1902 is estimated at £24,000-30,000.

As Mr Pattison added: “This is one of only two surviving Bowen notes above £5 issued anywhere other than London, and its condition is spectacular.  It would be a jewel in the crown of almost any 19th century banknote collection.”

A very rare £5 note from the Bank of England branch in Bristol dating from June 1850 and signed by Matthew Marshall, who was Chief Cashier between 1835-64 is estimated at £15,000-20,000.

It is stamped issued by Tugwell, Clutterbuck and Ricardo, who were a local bank in Bath.

Charlie Morrey is a Broadcast & Multi Media Journalist for Manx.News and also is a Presenter on Energy FM. Charlie has previously written for Isle of Man Newspapers, magazines and also started her broadcasting career with Manx Radio.

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