{"product_id":"1940-reserve-bank-of-new-zealand-1-one-pound-banknote-p-159a-serial-no-4m-680323","title":"1940 Reserve Bank of New Zealand - 1 (One) Pound Banknote P-159a Serial No. 4M 680323","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand 1 Pound Banknote – Captain Cook Issue (P‑159a, N#204075)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Classic Pre‑Decimal Type Note from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand 1 Pound banknote (Pick 159a \/ N#204075)\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most iconic and historically significant notes of New Zealand’s pre‑decimal era. First introduced in \u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e, this design became the nation’s definitive £1 issue for more than two decades, circulating widely until the transition to decimal currency in 1967. Featuring \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain James Cook\u003c\/strong\u003e on the front and his ship, the \u003cstrong\u003eEndeavour\u003c\/strong\u003e, on the reverse, this note is a cornerstone type for collectors of Commonwealth and Oceania paper money.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reserve Bank of New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e One Pound (£1)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue References:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePick:\u003c\/strong\u003e P‑159a\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumista:\u003c\/strong\u003e N#204075\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssue Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e ND 1940–1955 (early signature varieties)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas De La Rue \u0026amp; Co., London\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 154 × 84 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper, intaglio and multicolour underprint\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Māori chief\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard circulation banknote\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis catalogue information ensures precise identification for collectors, dealers, and valuation purposes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObverse – Captain James Cook\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front of the note features a finely engraved portrait of \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain James Cook\u003c\/strong\u003e, the British navigator whose voyages charted New Zealand’s coastline. His portrait appears at the right, framed by intricate guilloché patterns typical of De La Rue’s mid‑20th‑century engraving style.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich purple tones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCentral Feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Zealand coat of arms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eText:\u003c\/strong\u003e “The Reserve Bank of New Zealand promises to pay on demand the sum of One Pound”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design reflects New Zealand’s maritime history and its ties to the Commonwealth during this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse – The Endeavour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse depicts Cook’s ship, the \u003cstrong\u003eEndeavour\u003c\/strong\u003e, under full sail. This maritime vignette is one of the most recognisable images in New Zealand numismatics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLayout:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong central denomination, crisp line engraving, and symmetrical framing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003eMāori chief\u003c\/strong\u003e watermark appears when held to the light — a key security feature and an important cultural element that balances the European exploration theme on the note.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe P‑159 series was introduced during the early years of World War II, replacing earlier designs and establishing a unified, modernised look for New Zealand’s currency. The \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain Cook £1 note\u003c\/strong\u003e remained in circulation for over 25 years, making it one of the most familiar banknotes to generations of New Zealanders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe P‑159a subtype specifically refers to the \u003cstrong\u003eearliest printings\u003c\/strong\u003e, identifiable by their signature combinations and technical characteristics. Later variants (P‑159b, P‑159c, P‑159d) continued the same design with updated signatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis note represents:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNew Zealand’s pre‑decimal monetary system\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe nation’s colonial and maritime heritage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA long‑running, widely circulated type essential to any New Zealand collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Collect This Note?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Type Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The definitive pre‑decimal £1 design\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrong Catalogue Identity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clearly referenced as P‑159a \/ N#204075\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Appeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Links Cook’s voyages, Māori representation, and mid‑century New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassic Engraving:\u003c\/strong\u003e High‑quality De La Rue craftsmanship\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attractive purple colour scheme and iconic imagery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhether you’re building a New Zealand type set or expanding a Commonwealth paper money collection, the \u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand 1 Pound P‑159a\u003c\/strong\u003e is a must‑have example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"notescounter","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56430690730361,"sku":null,"price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0915\/7168\/3705\/files\/20251231_124147.jpg?v=1767191422","url":"https:\/\/notescounter.co.uk\/products\/1940-reserve-bank-of-new-zealand-1-one-pound-banknote-p-159a-serial-no-4m-680323","provider":"notescounter","version":"1.0","type":"link"}