Bank Of England Five Pound Note Appraisal

Bank of England Five Pound Note (Queen Elizabeth II, D.H.F. Somerset Signature)

This item is a Bank of England five-pound note, featuring Queen Elizabeth II. The note exhibits a worn condition with noticeable creases, particularly across the center and near the edges, suggesting it has been in active circulation. The primary colors are various shades of grey, blue, and black, printed on paper. The front of the note prominently displays a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crown, positioned on the right side. To the left of the portrait, a circular vignette shows a classical scene with figures on horseback, which appears to be a depiction of Britannia seated with a lion on the lower left. The denomination "FIVE POUNDS" is clearly visible, both in text and as the numeral "5" in the top right and bottom left corners. The serial number "RA13 835350" is printed in black ink in the upper left and lower right quadrants. Below the central vignette, the signature of the Chief Cashier, D.H.F. Somerset, is visible, indicating a potential issue date between 1980 and 1988, as he held that position during this period. The overall craftsmanship appears standard for currency, with intricate engraving details in the portrait and central design. There are no obvious tears or major discolorations, but the paper shows a general softening and slight dirt typical of heavily used banknotes. The edges are slightly frayed in places. This particular design with the signature of D.H.F. Somerset places its estimated age to the 1980s. The watermark, which would be visible when held up to light, is indiscernible from the image.