The Elegance of the "Lady Lavery" Series

Own a piece of Irish heritage with this authentic 1976 £20 Legal Tender Note. Part of the "Series A" currency, these notes are affectionately known as the "Lady Lavery" series. The design was originally commissioned in the 1920s to represent the spirit of Ireland and remained a staple of Irish life for nearly half a century.

Historic & Design Highlights:

• Obverse (Front): Features the iconic portrait of Lady Lavery (Hazel Lavery, wife of painter Sir John Lavery) leaning on an Irish harp, personifying Ireland. The background shows a soft landscape of the Irish coast. The note is dual-language, featuring both English and Irish (Gaeilge) text.

• Reverse (Back): Showcases the powerful image of the Spirit of the River Lee, one of the "river god" masks from the Custom House in Dublin.

• Watermark: Features the "Head of Erin," a classic security feature for this series.

• Signatories: Signed by C.H. Murray (Governor) and M. O’Murchu (Secretary of the Department of Finance).

Collector’s Specifications:

• Issuer: Central Bank of Ireland (Banc Ceannais na hÉireann)

• Denomination: Twenty Pounds / Fiche Punt (£20)

• Date of Issue: 24th March 1976

• Pick Number: P-67c

• Serial Number: 66X014423

• Grading: PMG 30 Very Fine

• Grade Note: PMG has noted "Ink" on the back of the holder, likely referring to a small teller's mark or minor ink trace from its time in circulation, common for notes of this era.

Collector's Perspective: Lady Lavery notes are the cornerstone of any Irish collection. The £20 denomination is particularly popular due to its large size and vibrant red-orange color palette. This example, graded PMG 30, offers great eye appeal with clear detail and strong paper body, making it an excellent investment-grade piece for a mid-range collection.