The IBNS Book of the Year for 2010

(For a book published in 2009)

The International Bank Note Society has named as its Book of the Year for 2009 Paper Money of Ireland, by Bob Blake and Jonathan Callaway. The book is a definitive examination of the many note issues in Ireland since around 1700.

In its magnificently illustrated 500 pages, the book details the issues by the private and official banks and issuing authorities since even before the first notes of the Bank of Ireland in 1783 right up to those by the Central Bank of Ireland in 2001. Paper Money of Ireland has more than 600 full-colour illustrations. In United Kingdom it is priced at £40 plus £6 postage and is available from the publisher, Pam West British Notes, PO Box 257, Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9WW.

It provides the most complete coverage yet assembled of information on the issues of the hundreds of private bankers, joint-stock banks and sundry other note issuers in Ireland since 1700. Much of this material has not previously been easily available. Even early checks, lottery tickets and travelers checks are covered. The book also provides a listing of known colour trial specimen and replacement issues.

Commenting on the award, IBNS President Peter Symes noted that Paper Money of Ireland is an ambitious book dealing comprehensively with the rich and complex range of Irish issues. "The book is a major work of research and cataloguing and will allow collectors to identify and value virtually any note ever issued in Ireland" he added.

Also receiving an honourable mention in the Book of the Year Award were

• Banknotes of Bhutan by Anil R. Bohora and Gylfi K. Snorrason
• Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Coins and Currency by Howard A. Daniel III
• Mexican Paper Money edited by Cory Frampton, Duane Douglas, Alberto Hidalgo and Elmer Powell
• Catalogue of Banknotes of the Civil War in Russia, Volume 3 by Mikhail Istomin
• Catalogue of Emergency Paper Money from Polish Territories – Volumes I to V by Andrzej Podczaski
• The Unissued Banknotes of Palestine and Israel by Shlomo Tepper
• Paper Money of the Republic of Estonia, 1919-1940 + 1991-2008 by Allan Tohv.