Great Britain One Pound Note 1949 Britannia
Bank of England
Obverse: Vignette of Britannia, the symbol of the Bank of England at left. Denomination is on right side. The words "Bank of England Promise to pay the Bearer on Demand the Sum of One Pound".
Signature: Percival Beale, Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, 1949–1955.
Reverse: Building of the Bank of England, the view at the building before 1925 (reconstruction). Two coat of arms at left and right - Looks like the reverse of Gold Sovereign coin of the United Kingdom featuring Saint George slaying the dragon. On background are the acanthus leaves. The acanthus is one of the most common plant forms to make foliage ornament and decoration. Acanthus often represents life and immortality.
Watermark: Head of Minerva. On sides of banknote are wavy lines.
This notes also contained an embedded metal security thread, a revolutionary development which was first introduced as an anti-counterfeiting device in the Second World War.
Date of first issued: 17 June 1948
Date ceased to be legal tender: 28 May 1962
Color: Black on white (printed on one side only).
Size: 151 mm x 85 mm.
Design: W. M. Keesey. Reissue of unthreaded pre-war notes.
Printer: TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London, England.
Percival Beale, Chief Cashier of the Bank of England
Percival Spencer Beale was the 21st Chief Cashier of the Bank of England from 1 March 1949 to 16 January 1955. Beale was born on 14 September 1906 and entered Bank service on 27 October 1924. He was succeeded as Chief Cashier by Leslie O'Brien. He died on 4 February 1981.