Banknote (front), Five pounds, issued by Caldeonian Banking Company

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This is the front of a five pounds banknote issued by the Caledonian Banking Company on 1 October 1859. The note was printed using steel plates engraved by W H Lizars of Edinburgh.

The top vignette shows a view of Inverness castle with the town and the River Ness in the background. The Gaelic inscription around the edge of the note translates as, 'Land of the Mountains, Glens and Heroes'.

Founded in Inverness in 1838, the success of this bank was at risk in 1878 when it found itself liable for part of the City of Glasgow Bank's £6 million failure. The Caledonian Bank suspended trading but confidence was soon restored and business resumed.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-079-405-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.OIA 109
• Date: 1 October 1859
  1859
  
• Material: Paper
  Banknote
  
• Dimensions: 211 mm x 124 mm
  
• What: Banknote
  
• Subject:
• Who: Caledonian Banking Company (Maker)
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Five-pound banknote, The Caledonian Banking Company, 1 October 1859
  
• References:
  • Douglas, J. Scottish Banknotes. London: Stanley Gibbons, 1975, pp 71-4. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: