B Series 1-20 Pound Set (Irish Notes)

​An iconic collection of Irish numismatic history: the Central Bank of Ireland "Series B" banknote set (£1–£20). Issued between 1976 and 1993, this series represented a fundamental shift in Irish currency design, replacing the long-standing "Lady Lavery" allegorical portraits with a celebration of figures from Irish history, literature, philosophy, and mythology. Designed by the Irish firm Servicon with artwork by Patrick Hickey, these notes feature a distinctive Gaelic aesthetic, using uncial-inspired script and intricate motifs drawn from early medieval manuscripts and Irish heritage. The series remained legal tender until 1995, when they were fully superseded by the Series C issue.


​Set Composition (Denominations):


​£1 "Queen Medb" (1977–1990): Features the legendary Queen of Connacht from the Ulster Cycle. The design utilizes pre-Christian geometric patterns inspired by archaeological bone-slips and an excerpt from the Táin Bó Cúailnge on the front, with a decorative extract from the Lebor na hUidre on the reverse.


​£5 "John Scotus Eriugena" (1976–1993): Features the 9th-century Irish philosopher and theologian. The front incorporates letterwork adapted from the Book of Kells, while the reverse highlights early Irish monastic art and manuscript layouts in a rich brown and red-orange palette.


​£10 "Jonathan Swift" (1978–1993): Features the famed satirist and author of Gulliver’s Travels. The front includes the Dublin coat of arms and manuscript script, while the reverse depicts a detailed 1756 street map of Dublin by John Rocque in blue and violet tones.


​£20 "W.B. Yeats" (1980–1992): Features the Nobel Prize-winning poet alongside the mythical hero Cú Chulainn. The design incorporates manuscript pages from his play Deirdre and an evocative reverse illustration of the Blasket Islands, accompanied by an excerpt from the classic autobiography An tOileánach.


​Historical Context:

The Series B notes serve as a tangible link to a pivotal era of the Irish pound. By moving away from standardized symbolic figures, the Central Bank created a "cultural gallery" that honored the intellectual and mythic foundations of Ireland. This set represents the complete range of standard circulating denominations from that period (excluding the £50 and the unissued £100). They remain highly sought after by collectors for their sophisticated graphic design and their role in defining late 20th-century Irish identity before the transition to the Series C issue.



​See images for condition.



​Post and Packaging:

Standard Post: €2.50

Registered Post: €10.50