Lot #400
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Palestine - 5 Pounds 1939 - Counterfeit - VG-F - Without Prefix
Palestine – 5 Pounds 1939 – Counterfeit – VG-F – Without Prefix
The chain of events regarding the counterfeiting of the banknotes and the people behind them remains a mystery until they are revealed in Dr. Moshe Marx’s research from 1995: (Originally presented in Rafael Dabach’s book)
The issue of counterfeiting banknotes arose as early as July 1945 during meetings between representatives of the Etzel and Lehi undergrounds when the possibility of a merger between the two organizations was discussed. One Lehi representative suggested forging banknotes jointly, noting that their organization has an expert who can make engravings of five-pound banknotes, while the Irgun has suitable paper confiscated from the government printer.
The Irgun did not show interest in the issue either because its representatives doubted their ability to distribute the counterfeit banknotes, and also because they thought that Jews would be harmed by it, and decided that they would only assist in the supply of the paper.
The forgeries began only in the second half of 1946 in the workshop owned by a Lehi man in Tel Aviv, were not of the required quality and therefore were not distributed as planned.
You are presented with one of the banknotes that did not reach those tubs, certainly not a common banknote, a total of 14 such banknotes are graded by the garding company PMG.
Due to the low quality of the banknote prepared by the Lehi organization, these banknotes are usually in several parts that are attached with paper glue, such as the banknote we offer for sale.
In 1917, the British conquered Israel from the Ottomans and British military rule in Israel began.
The Monetary Council money notes were the first notes issued for Israel (formerly Palestine),
went into circulation on November 1, 1927, and served as a legal process in both Jordan and the Gaza Strip.
The banknote values in the series were 500 Mmiles, 1 , 5 , 10 , 50 and 100 Pounds.
The notes were of different colors, and carried paintings of David’s Tower, the Dome of the Rock,
the White Tower, and Rachel’s Tomb.
Observe: A Drawing of the White Tower in Ramla city.
Reverse: a painting of David’s Tower.
Watermark: An olive tree branch
Signatures: P. EZECHIAL J. CAULCUTT H.F DOWNIE
Prefix: Without Prefix
Number color: Red
Dimensions: 165X89mm
Grade: VF
KM # 8x