Watch List notes:

Bank of England, Leslie Kenneth O'Brien (1955-1962), an obverse and reverse printers' archival essay on card for a proposed issue of £5, ND (post-1957), A00 000000, blue on multicolour underprint with portrait of Elizabeth II at left and values to corners with text at left, reverse seated Britannia at left and St. George slaying dragon at right,, (EPM Unlisted, Pick Unlisted), uncirculated and a fascinating piece of banknote art: obviously an alternative to the adopted 'helmeted Britannia' issue, this essay features a portrait of Elizabeth II that was never used on a British note but includes several designs subsequently used on other notes - for example the lions and keys which, significantly enlarged, is found on the reverse of the issued £5 around this date; it is also interesting to observe the font of the '5' on this example as it is very similar to that on the £5 of 2002 - did the designer use this essay as inspiration? Extremely rare and likely unique with no other examples believed extant today..

Estimate: £5000 - £7000