Description and research notes
A landmark Dominion-era specimen from the formative years of New Zealand banking, this £1 note exemplifies the artistry and precision of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London. Produced circa 1905–1916 for the Bank of New Zealand, it reflects the institution’s transformation from a colonial issuer to the nation’s financial cornerstone prior to the creation of the Reserve Bank in 1934.
Engraved and printed in London, the note’s design unites symbolism of nationhood, trade, and indigenous heritage. The face presents paired Māori figures—one standing with a taiaha and another seated with a woven kete—representing both guardianship and continuity. Below, a coastal vignette evokes maritime trade and exploration. At centre, a dense micro-printed field of repeating 'ONE' text showcases Bradbury Wilkinson’s anti-forgery craftsmanship.
The reverse features an allegorical tableau with Britannia and allegories of agriculture and progress, framed by wheat, ferns, and tropical flora. This arrangement underscores New Zealand’s dual economic identity—British in governance yet Pacific in geography.
Specimen diagnostics include perforated 'SPECIMEN' text across the signature panel, control serials E300001–E400000, and a pencilled printer’s ledger notation dated July 1913 along the upper margin. PMG designates this variety as 'With Serial Number Prefix', confirming it as the fully engraved specimen of the issued note rather than an unnumbered proof. These traits confirm this piece as a genuine Bradbury Wilkinson presentation specimen distributed to correspondents and central archives. Its preservation in original form—wide selvage, bright red tint, and crisp brown reverse—makes it an educational cornerstone for the study of Dominion-era monetary design.
Catalogued as Pick S212bs (Robb 16.aiii), this note represents one of the final pre-Reserve Bank issues and serves as a bridge between colonial banking and the unified national currency. It stands as both an artistic and documentary witness to New Zealand’s transition from colony to Dominion.