86) Currency and coinage of the States of Jersey : A British Crown Dependency

86) Currency and coinage of the States of Jersey : A British Crown Dependency

Background of establishment of the States of Jersey and its status as a “British Crown Dependency”:

From 1066 A.D., during the times of William the Conqueror, the Channel Islands were allied with the English Crown as part of the Duchy of Normandy.

In 1204, even after the defeat of King John by the French King Philippe-Auguste at the battle of Rouen, the Channel Islands through diplomatic persuasion, stayed as allies to the British Crown. 

Nevertheless, as a special concession to the Channel Islands, King John had to concede to the Islanders several privileges, including the right to govern themselves through their own Laws with 12 chosen functionaries called “Jurats” who along with the Bailiff, represented the Island’s Royal Court. 

A warden, who was later designated as the Governor was appointed by the King to look after the safety and defence of the Island.

The constitutional autonomy of the States of Jersey is today well established through several Royal Charters issued by subsequent English Kings, although its status is that of a British Dependency.

Origin of the term “States of Jersey”:

The Royal Court began to consult with the people through Constables or “Connetables” of the Parishes and with the Church through the rectors. 

This consultation of the three “estates” viz., the “Court”, the “people” and the “Church” has since been formalised into the “States of Jersey”. 

Wide-ranging changes took place in 1856 and 1948 in the Jersey Constitution which brought in Deputies and Senators into the States and did away with the positions of “Jurats” and “rectors”. 

Nevertheless, the 12 “Jurats” which are a legacy of the arrangement made with King John are still appointed as lay members of the Royal Court and chosen by an electoral college comprising members of the Court and the States.

The native language spoken in Jersey is called “Jerriais”.

The Jersey Heritage Trust was established by the States of Jersey to promote the Island’s heritage which includes museums, archives, castles and historical sites etc.

States of Jersey currency/coinage:

Jersey’s official currency is the Pound ( called the “Jersey pound” which is at par with other currency/coins of the Pound Sterling) and Jersey issues their own banknotes and currency in much the same way as Banknotes are issued by Guernsey, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Jersey Notes, strictly speaking, are not legal tender in the United Kingdom, nevertheless, they are a legal currency and can be accepted by users at par with the British Pound.

Jersey coinage:

Till 1834, the French livre was the currency in Jersey.(1 English pound was equivalent to 24 French livres). The livres supply in circulation in Jersey dwindled alarmingly after the franc replaced the livre in 1795.

As such, in 1834, Jersey through an “Order in Council” adopted the pound sterling as Jersey’s sole official legal tender, although French coins (including sous which could be exchanged at 26 sous to an English shilling) continued to circulate in tandem with the British coins.

In 1971, along with the rest of the British Isles, Jersey decimalised its currency in 1971, whereafter a full series of circulating coins was issued from 1/12 pence to 50 pence followed by 1 and 2 pound coins.

At present the coins in circulation include 1 pence (depicting “Le Hocq Tower” – coastal defence- on the reverse), 2 pence (depicting “L’Hermitage of Saint Helier” on the reverse), 5 pence (depicting the Seymour Tower – offshore defence – on the reverse), 10 pence (“Faldouet Dolmen St. Martin” on the reverse), 20 pence (“Lighthouse of La Corbiere” on the reverse), 50 pence (“Grosnez Castle” on the reverse), 1 pound (“Schooner” – sailing ships series - on the reverse), 2 pound ( “12 Parish crests” – one each- on the reverse). The motto engraved on the Jersey pound coins edge is “Caesarea Insula” (The “Island of Jersey").  

Jersey Currency:

In 1797, Jersey’s first Bank, popularly known as the “Jersey Old Bank” began issuing 1 Pound Notes.

Thereafter, till 1813, due to a shortage of livre tournois coinage, several individuals and Banking Companies chipped in with issuing several of their own low value notes.

In 1813, a law was passed that Notes being issued by various entities/individuals should have a minimum value of 1 Pound.

Till 1831, several individuals and Banking Companies complied with this regulation. For example, the Parishes of Jersey and the “Vingtaine de la Ville” issued their own notes. (This is one of the six vingtaines of Saint Helier in Jersey which is synonymous to the historic town centre and the harbours. Unlike the other five vingtaines, it has retained its original autonomous financial existence chiefly on account of an endowment which was made when it was purchased by the British Government in 1804. A vingtaine means “a group of twenty” in French and represents a political sub-division of Jersey).

In 1831, regulatory provisions were introduced making it compulsory for note issuing individuals and Companies to be backed by two guarantors. Nevertheless, the parishes and the “Vingtaine de la Ville” were exempted from this Regulation. 

Currency Notes were issued governed by this Regulation mainly in denominations of one pound and occasionally in denominations of five pounds.

On 29.04.1941, during the German occupation of Jersey, the local Government standardised the issue of currency notes by enacting the Currency Notes (Jersey) Law under which a series of Banknotes in the denominations of six pence, 1, 2 and 10 shillings and 1 pound were issued. These notes were not issued after the liberation of Jersey in May 1945 but these notes continued to be legal tender.

The 1963 Series of Banknotes were issued under the Currency Notes (Jersey) Law 1959 and consisted of currency notes in the denominations of 10 shillings (Back design showcasing “Saint Quen’s Manor”), 1 (Back design showcasing “Mont Orgueil”) , 5 (Back design showcasing “Saint Aubin’s Fort”) and 10 pounds (Back design showcasing “Saint Quen’s Manor”). 

1976 Series of Banknotes:

This Series was introduced on 05.08.1976. The series introduced 20 pound notes for the first time in Jersey. It, also, had a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the front along with Jersey Flora and the back designs showcased historic images of Jersey.

The one pound note front shows the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II along with a buttercup. The back image is that of “the death of Major Peirson in the Battle of Jersey in 1781”.

The five pounds note front shows the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II  along with an image of the Jersey fern. The back image is that of “Elizabeth Castle by George Wolfe”.

The ten pounds note front shows the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II along with wild daffodils. The back image is that of “Victoria College by Felix Benoist”.

The 20 pounds note front shows the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II along with a burnet rose. The back design is that of “Mont Orgueil by Jean Le Capelain”.

The 1989 Series of Banknotes:

This Series depicted Queen Elizabeth II on the front along with flora and avifauna found in Jersey. The back designs show various landmarks and events from Jersey’s history/heritage. A significant feature of this Series is that it introduced the 50 pound Note for the first time in Jersey’s currency. Also these Notes have a watermark of a Jersey cow.

The One pound Note is green in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The bird shown is the "short-toed treecreeper".

The Back of the one pound Note shows an image of “St. Helier Parish Church”.

The Five pounds note is purple in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The bird shown is the "Dartford warbler".

 

The Back of the Five pounds Note shows an image of “La Corbiere Lighthouse”.

The Ten pounds note is red in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The bird shown is the "Oystercatcher".

The Back of the Ten pounds note shows “the death of Major Peirson, after John Singleton Copley” in the battle of Jersey, 1781.

The 20 pounds note is blue in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The bird shown is the "Brent Goose".

The Back of the 20 pounds note shows “St. Quen’s manor”.

The 50 pounds note is brown in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The bird shown is the "Fulmar".

The Back of the 50 pounds note shows the “Government House”.

The 2010 Series of Banknotes:

This is the current Series which is being issued by Jersey since 26.04.2010. A special feature of these notes is that they have trilingual texts – English, French and Jerriais. A new denomination of 100 pounds notes were introduced in this Series.

The Front of these notes has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and a view of an important Jersey landmark, while the Back of these notes showcases one of Jersey’s historical coastal defence towers built in the 18^th century and pictures of 12 parish crests. 

Among the security features, the Jersey cow watermark has been retained as in the earlier issues and there is a see-through map of Jersey. Also, the higher denomination Notes of 10, 20 and 50 pounds have a patch hologram depicting a varying image of the Coat-of-Arms of Jersey and the Island of Jersey on a background pattern of La Corbiere lighthouse. 

The notes have been designed to help visually challenged persons identify them easily. Each note of a different value has its own striking colour and a bold, enlarged numeral on both the front and back of the note. The banknotes are printed with tactile, raised print and smooth holograms on the 10, 20 and 50 pounds denominations. Also, the States of Jersey title, number of the note, ink etc. is printed in intaglio.

The One pound Note is green in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II and the “Liberation Sculpture” in Saint Helier. (This sculpture in Liberation Square celebrates the momentous announcement of the liberation of the island from the Nazi forces and the end of the Second World War).

The Back of the one pound note showcases the “Le Hocq Tower; La Hougue Bie” (La Hougue Bie was built around 4000 B.C. and was a Neolithic ritual site).

The Five pounds note is sky-blue in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II and “Le Rat Cottage” (an important sixteenth century National Trust property).

The Back of the five pounds Note shows an image of “Archirondel Tower; Les Augres Manor” (the home of the Durell Wildlife Conservation Trust).

The Ten pounds note is Burnt Sienna in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II and the “Hermitage of Saint Hellier” (This medieval chapel was built over the site where St. Helier lived and died in the sixth century).

The Back of the Ten pounds note shows the “Seymour Tower; Lalique sculpture in the Glass Church” (These are unique glass sculptures in St. Matthew’s church).

The 20 pounds note is Violet in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II and the “States Building” (the island’s Parliament building – with the exterior view on the front).

The Back of the 20 pounds note shows the “La Rocco Tower; States Chamber” (this is the interior view of the Parliament building). Also featured on the back is the “La Rocco Tower” originally known as “Gordon’s Tower”).

The 50 pounds note is red in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II and “Mont Orgueil” (this is a medieval castle).

The Back of the 50 pounds note shows the “Tower, Ouaisne; La Marmotiere, Les Ecrehous” (showcasing the houses on the island of La Marmotiere in Les Echrehous and the Tower at Quaisne).

The 100 pounds note is purple in colour. The Front shows an image of Queen Elizabeth II and; “map of Jersey and Cotentin peninsula”.

The Back of the 100 pound note shows the “Royal mace of Jersey; Flag of Jersey”.

Commemorative Note issues:

In 1995, Jersey issued a one pound commemorative note celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the “Liberation of Jersey” (from German occupation forces). These notes bear the serial nos. “LJ” (abbreviation for the “Liberation of Jersey”).

In 2004, Jersey issued a one pound commemorative note marking the 800^th anniversary of the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204 with the design including “Mont Orgueil castle” and other historic symbols. This date marked the creation of Jersey constitutional autonomy and special priveleges, in lieu for the Island staying allied with the English Crown.  These notes bear a serial no. Beginning with “J8C” (standing for “Jersey 800”).

On 1^st June 2012, a 100 pound Note was issued to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II . The front of the commemorative note bears a portrait of the Queen based on Chris Levine’s holographic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II titled “Equanimity”. 

(The following images are from the Collection of Jayant Biswas, who has contributed these scans for this post. This commemorative Note cost over Rs.10,000/- and was scanned by us in two sittings using soft gloves for turning the note without damaging its texture):

The above is an image of the cover of the album containing the 100 Pounds Note. 

              

The 100 Pound Note with the Queen's holographic portrait titled "Equanimity" reproduced on this Note by special permission of Jersey Heritage.  Notice that the serial number of this Note starts with the letters "QE" indicating that this is a "Queen Elizabeth II" limited edition Note for Collectors only. The inscriptions are "States of Jersey" on the top of the Note. "One Hundred Pounds" on the bottom and "EIIR" (Elizabeth II Regina - "or Queen").

 The back of the above 100 Pound Note. On the back of the note is the Royal Mace of Jersey.The inscriptions being "Chent Louis" "Cent Livres" and "Etats De Jersey". This Note has been printed by De La Rue.

The description of how the project was commissioned to carry out the making of the Queen's portrait titled "Equanimity" and the historical background. 

Posted on 19.11.13: 

The above is an image of a one pound stamp issued by Jersey Post on 14.11.13 to commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the Royal Mace of the Bailiff of Jersey. On the right periphery of the stamp is mentioned "Not all doth he deem worthy of a reward".



(The above circulation Banknotes are from the collection of Ajit George. The 100 Pound Note with the Queen's holographic portrait titled "Equanimity" is from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Banknotes scanned and post researched and written by Rajeev Prasad)




Links:

British Crown Dependencies:

1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey

2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey

3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey

4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain

5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
  
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015

7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend

8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda

10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence 

11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003 

12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint 

Famous Battles: 

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK) 

2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK

Gold Coins:
  
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark 

Silver Coins:

1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns 

British India Coinage:

 1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835

2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress

3) Edward VII: King & Emperor  Coinage

4) George V King Emperor Coinage

5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage 

Other British Royalty: 

1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown

3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK

4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013

5) The British Empire:  A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)

6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark

 British Coinage:

1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)

2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin

3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence

4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone

 Commemorative British Coinage:

 1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era

 2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK

3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)

4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel 

5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his" Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK 

6) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal Guidepost to Liberty and Freedom

Inspirations from Scottish History: 

1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes

Banknotes from Scotland:
  
1) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote