"Paper Promises": 300 years of the fascinating history of Scottish Bank notes to go on show at the University's Marischal Museum
A travelling roadshow on the history of bank notes is set to open at the University of Aberdeen’s Marischal Museum on 9 September, 1999
Organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, the exhibition tells the story of how the printing and issuing of bank notes has evolved over three hundred years. Illustrated displays will describe the problems faced from forgers, including French prisoners-of-war during the Napoleonic Wars, and how bank notes have evolved from very simple papers promised to pay into the complex art forms which they are today.
Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, Dr Charles Munn explained: “Bank notes have been an important part of Scottish history for over three hundred years.
“They helped to finance the industrial revolution in Scotland and are still an important part of Scotland’s money supply. Over the last 150 years commercial banks in most countries have lost the right to issue bank notes in favour of central banks.
“ Scottish banks were allowed to continue to issue bank notes because of their success in financing industry and commerce. Banks in England and Wales lost that right. Three Scottish banks continue to issue notes – the Bank of Scotland, The Royal Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank PLC.”
The exhibition is open to the general public between 10 September - 28 October, 1999. It is runs from 10.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 2.00pm – 5.00pm on Sundays. The Museum is not open on Saturdays. The Museum is located in Marischal College, to the rear of the Quadrangle, next to the Mitchell Hall.
PHOTOCALL: A PRIVATE PREVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6.00PM ON THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER. YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A PHOTOGRAPHER/REPORTER