PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Irish Republic 1866 5 Dollars

Posted on 3/16/2021

This note was printed in the United States to support the movement to win independence for Ireland.



Irish Republic, National Promissory Bond 1866 5 Dollars, graded PMG 30 Very Fine EPQ. Click images to enlarge

Country: Irish Republic

Catalog Number: Pick# (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money) S101

Date: 1866

Denomination: $5

Varieties: None. These notes were also issued in several higher denominations.

What makes it special? The note says "Irish Republic," but it was actually printed in New York for the Fenian Brotherhood, an organization led by John O'Mahony. It bears Irish imagery, including Erin with a harp and an Irish wolfhound, while the border contains the names of Irish counties. The short-lived Fenian Brotherhood was a movement of Irish immigrants in the US who supported Ireland's independence; the group also conducted raids in Canada.

Did you know? The Fenian Brotherhood was succeeded in the US by Clan na Gael, the largest financier of the Irish War of Independence. The war ended with a treaty that paved the way for the Irish Free State in 1922.

Total graded by PMG: PMG has graded 19 of Pick# S101, which can be found under the Ireland - Republic section of the PMG Population Report.

PMG median grade: PMG 30 Very Fine.

PMG highest graded: PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ

Sales highlights: In January 2019, an example graded PMG 30 Very Fine realized $288 at a Stack's Bowers sale. In June 2020, an example graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ realized $977 at a Heritage Auctions sale.

PMG Registry: This note is not part of any of the 17 Ireland-related sets from Ireland (Eire), Ireland - Republic, and Ireland - Northern.

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PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Irish Republic 1866 5 Dollars

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