Story: Coins and banknotes

Trading bank banknotes: Bank of Otago note (2nd of 3)

Trading bank banknotes: Bank of Otago note

This £1 note was issued by the Bank of Otago in 1870. It depicts a woman, possibly Māori, holding a (fictitious) flag combining the British Union Jack and the United Tribes insignia (New Zealand's first recognised flag). She stands before a full sack and two sheep, representing productive agriculture. The small settlement in the distance and the ship in the harbour further suggest the colonisation of New Zealand. The bank's name was printed on the reverse side.

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Reserve Bank of New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Coins and banknotes - Varied coins and banknotes, 1840s to 1930s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/37129/trading-bank-banknotes-bank-of-otago-note (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 20 Jun 2012