Siderographic Banknote Design

In the 1800s the Bank of England asked printmakers to submit banknote designs which were difficult to imitate, to prevent forgeries. This print was submitted by printing firm Perkins, Fairman & Heath as the design for an 'inimitable note.' The design is black on the front and blue on the back, and shows Britannia among other figures.

Perkins, Fairman & Heath's design uses siderography, a mechanical process of steel engraving invented by Perkins which made the plates more hardy and durable.