{"product_id":"1940-bank-of-england-uk-10-ten-british-shillings-banknote-serial-no-k39d-160633-p-366","title":"1940 Bank of ENGLAND, UK - 10 \/- (Ten) British Shillings Banknote Serial No. K39D 160633 P-366","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1940 Bank of England 10 Shillings – George VI Emergency Issue (Pick 366)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1940 \u003cstrong\u003e10 Shillings\u003c\/strong\u003e note (Pick 366) is one of the most iconic wartime banknotes issued by the Bank of England. Introduced just months after the outbreak of World War II, this emergency‑print half‑pound note reflects a nation mobilising every resource — including its currency — to withstand unprecedented threats. With its mauve‑and‑grey palette, classical Britannia engraving, and the signature of Chief Cashier \u003cstrong\u003eKenneth Oswald Peppiatt\u003c\/strong\u003e, it stands as a compact yet powerful symbol of Britain’s wartime resilience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIssued on \u003cstrong\u003e2 April 1940\u003c\/strong\u003e, this note belongs to the first generation of \u003cstrong\u003eEmergency Banknotes\u003c\/strong\u003e created during World War II. Britain faced a very real danger: Nazi Germany’s Operation Bernhard, a large‑scale counterfeiting scheme intended to destabilise the British economy by flooding Europe with forged sterling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo counter this threat, the Bank of England redesigned its lower‑denomination notes with:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003enew colours\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003esimplified layouts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eenhanced security features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand, for the first time, \u003cstrong\u003ea metal security thread\u003c\/strong\u003e (a feature that became permanent from 1948 onward)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 10 Shillings note was especially important. As the smallest major denomination, it circulated widely among civilians, soldiers, and essential wartime industries. Its reliability helped maintain public confidence during rationing, air raids, and economic uncertainty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis note remained in use throughout the war and well into the post‑war period, finally being \u003cstrong\u003edemonetized on 22 October 1962\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePick Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e P‑366\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 Shillings (½ Pound)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emergency Issue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuing Authority:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bank of England\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReign:\u003c\/strong\u003e King George VI (1936–1952)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssue Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 April 1940\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDemonetized:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22 October 1962\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 138 × 78 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rectangular\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pound sterling (pre‑decimal)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kenneth Oswald Peppiatt (Chief Cashier)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEngraver:\u003c\/strong\u003e W. M. Keesey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Elements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObverse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted in \u003cstrong\u003emauve and grey\u003c\/strong\u003e, the front of the note features:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeated Britannia\u003c\/strong\u003e at the left — a timeless emblem of national strength and maritime heritage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional promise text\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cem\u003e“Bank of England – I Promise to pay the Bearer on Demand the sum of Ten Shillings”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLondon\u003c\/strong\u003e printed below, with the formal inscription: \u003cem\u003e“For the Govr. and Compa. of the Bank of England”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrisp, balanced engraving by \u003cstrong\u003eW. M. Keesey\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose work defined many wartime and early post‑war British notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colour scheme was intentionally distinct from pre‑war issues, making counterfeits easier to detect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse is clean and functional, featuring:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003edenomination (10\/-)\u003c\/strong\u003e repeated within an elegant leaf‑style frame\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSymmetrical layout designed for clarity and quick recognition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngraving again by \u003cstrong\u003eW. M. Keesey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis minimalist design reflects wartime priorities: clarity, efficiency, and security over ornamentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1940 10 Shillings note introduced several important anti‑forgery measures:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark:\u003c\/strong\u003e “10 Shillings” wartime watermark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMetal Security Thread:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the earliest British notes to include this feature — a direct response to Operation Bernhard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistinctive Colour Scheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mauve and grey tones chosen to differentiate it from earlier issues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial Numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Printed twice for verification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese features helped ensure the integrity of Britain’s currency during a period of intense economic warfare.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector’s \u0026amp; Gift Appeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis note is highly desirable across several collecting themes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWWII history\u003c\/strong\u003e – A direct product of Britain’s wartime emergency measures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeorge VI collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e – A key denomination from the wartime reign\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePre‑decimal currency enthusiasts\u003c\/strong\u003e – The classic half‑pound note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity‑feature collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e – One of the first Bank of England notes with a metal thread\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBritannia‑themed collections\u003c\/strong\u003e – Featuring the iconic allegorical figure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical gifts\u003c\/strong\u003e – A meaningful keepsake from the 1940s home‑front era\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts compact size and distinctive colouring make it visually striking in any collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Collect This Banknote?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1940 10 Shillings Emergency Issue is more than a small denomination — it is a wartime innovation. Born from the need to protect Britain’s financial system from enemy sabotage, it represents the intersection of national security, economic stability, and traditional British design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its early use of a metal security thread, its wartime colour scheme, and its association with the George VI era, this note remains a historically rich and aesthetically appealing addition to any serious numismatic collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"notescounter","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56452817191289,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0915\/7168\/3705\/files\/20260106_105717.jpg?v=1767700106","url":"https:\/\/notescounter.co.uk\/products\/1940-bank-of-england-uk-10-ten-british-shillings-banknote-serial-no-k39d-160633-p-366","provider":"notescounter","version":"1.0","type":"link"}