Series B Banknotes and Irish Currency

In Ireland, Series B banknotes were introduced in 1928 to replace the old currency system. The Series B notes were issued by the Central Bank of Ireland.

The Series B banknotes were designed to be more secure and durable than their predecessors. They featured a portrait of Lady Lavery, the wife of the artist Sir John Lavery.

The Series B banknotes were also the first to feature the Irish harp, which has since become a symbol of the country's currency.

Worth a look: Banknotes of Ireland

Series B banknotes feature a distinctive design element - the use of a watermark. The watermark is a transparent image of a woman's face, which is visible when held up to light.

The Series B banknotes also have a security thread embedded in the paper, which glows pink under ultraviolet light. This thread is designed to prevent counterfeiting.

One of the most recognizable design elements of Series B banknotes is the portrait of George Washington. The portrait is a large, prominent feature of the banknote's design.

The Series B banknotes have a repeating pattern of 100 small stars in the bottom right corner. This pattern is a classic design element that adds visual interest to the banknote.

The Series B banknotes also feature a numeral "1" in the bottom right corner, which is made up of 100 small stars. This design element is a clever play on the number of stars in the pattern below it.

The Irish Punt Banknotes were more than just a medium of exchange; they were unique pieces of art and history that echoed the rhythm of Ireland's heritage and culture.

Each note featured distinguished personalities and symbolic imagery, making them an opportunity to pause, connect, and appreciate the deep roots from which the Irish people have sprouted.

The Series B Irish Punt Banknotes were issued between 1976 and 1992, and they were a testament to Ireland's resilient spirit, artistic flair, and unfading connection to its land and lore.

The £10 Series B Irish Punt Banknote featured a compelling portrait of Dean Jonathan Swift, a towering figure in the literary world.

The background of the note amplified its historical significance by featuring a reproduction of the coat of arms of Dublin, which was a nod to the city's civic identity and Swift's contentious relationship with the city's council.

The River Liffey, a significant landmark of Dublin, also featured on the note, connecting the city's past and present.

The £20 Series B Irish Punt Banknote took pride of place on the obverse with a portrait of William Butler Yeats, one of Ireland's most celebrated literary figures.

The obverse also featured a representation of the legendary hero Cú Chulainn, based on the motif used by the Abbey Theatre, which Yeats co-founded.

The note's reverse featured an evocative image of the Blasket Islands, located off County Kerry, which was symbolic of Ireland's natural beauty and its intimate connection with the sea.

The background of the reverse side enhanced this connection with an excerpt from “An tOileánach” by Tomás Ó Criomhthain, one of the last inhabitants of the Great Blasket Island.

The £50 Series B Irish Punt Banknote featured a captivating portrait of Turlough O’Carolan, the blind Irish harper and composer.

The background, taken from a piece called Timbrell, further enriched the musical context of the note.

The note's reverse took inspiration from the wood carvings adorning the organ loft of St. Michan’s Church in Dublin, which reinforced the deeply ingrained relationship between the Irish people and their architectural heritage.