10 Pound B Series 13/10/81 Irish Note

Iconic piece of Irish numismatic history: the Series B £10 "Jonathan Swift" banknote. First introduced in 1978 as part of the Central Bank of Ireland’s "Series B" banknote issue, this note replaced the long-standing "Lady Lavery" design and remained in circulation until 1993, when it was superseded by the Series C.



​Design Details:

Front (Obverse): Features a portrait of Dean Jonathan Swift (1667–1745), the famed satirist and author of Gulliver’s Travels. The design incorporates the historic coat of arms of Dublin against a background excerpt of a letter written by Swift in 1735, all presented in a distinct blue and violet color scheme.

Back (Reverse): Features a portion of a 1756 map of Dublin by cartographer John Rocque, highlighting Great Abbey Street (Middle Abbey Street) and Aston's Quay along the River Liffey.



​Historical Context:

Issued by the Central Bank of Ireland, the Series B banknotes marked a shift in Irish currency design, celebrating figures of Irish history, literature, and culture rather than allegorical portraits. This £10 note is a quintessential example of late 20th-century Irish design and serves as a tangible link to a pivotal era of the Irish pound before its replacement by the Series C issue.



​See images for condition.



​Post and Packaging:

Standard Post: €2.50

Registered Post: €10.50