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Designs for banknotes

Design
c. 1825 (made)
Artist/Maker

A sheet with 16 designs of intricate oval-shaped plate patterns, of various sizes. Each plate is numbered. The whole sheet is identified as 'Plate 7'.

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleDesigns for banknotes (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
A sheet with 16 designs of intricate patterns devised against forgery, engraving, by an unknown designer, c. 1825
Physical description
A sheet with 16 designs of intricate oval-shaped plate patterns, of various sizes. Each plate is numbered. The whole sheet is identified as 'Plate 7'.
Dimensions
  • Width: 110mm
  • Height: 205mm
Object history
The use of back plates comprising intricate geometric patterns, was intended to make imitation more difficult. The inclusion of back plates for enhanced security was discussed in a letter of 1829 between Perkins and Co., the security printers who produced banknotes for most of Britain’s provincial banks, and their client Eaton and Co. of Swansea. In the letter, the client asked that Perkins provide ‘all the security you can’ and left it to Perkins’ as to whether it was ‘desirable to have back plates as additional preventions against forgery’ (British Museum, CIB.52671). Whether Perkins promoted back plates as a security device is not known but a similar design to the one-pound banknote design in this group can be seen in a mock-up note produced by Perkins & Co. for Dewsbury Bank from 1825 (British Museum, CIB.52675).
Collection
Accession number
E.751-2019

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Record createdJune 5, 2019
Record URL
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