GGP – Guernsey Pound

Monetary System

1825: 1 Guernsey pound = 20 shillings = 24 francs
1921: 1 British pound sterling = 20 shillings
1971: 1 British pound sterling (GBP) = 100 pence

Until the early 19th century, Guernsey used predominantly French currency. Coins of the French livre were legal tender until 1834, and French francs were used until 1921. In 1848, an ordinance was passed that the pound sterling should be legal tender at a value of £1 1s 3d. This was rescinded in 1850, and French currency, supplemented by local issues, continued to circulate. In 1870, British coins were made legal tender, with the British shilling circulating at 12½ Guernsey pence. Bank of England notes became legal tender in 1873.

2023 Issues

According to a press release dated 19 January 2023, the States of Guernsey has introduced innovative new security features to its 5-, 10-, and 20-pound notes.

Description: 5.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 135 x 70 mm

Pink, blue, green, brown, red, and yellow. Front: English text; Euphrosyne Kendal lifeboat as registration device; Guernsey lily; Town Church in Saint Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; camellia flower; Fort Grey in Rocquaine Bay in Saint Peter; stylized sunburst; 1862 Hanois Lighthouse; Euphrosyne Kendal lifeboat. PUREIMAGE holographic windowed thread with demetalized leopards and £5. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: DE LA RUE. 135 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 142 x 75 mm

Blue, burgundy, orange, red, and yellow. Front: English text; Guernsey fishing boat as registration device; Guernsey lily; Elizabeth College building in Saint Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; Les Niaux watermill; Saumarez Park building in Parish Castel; cluster of primroses; Le Trepied Dolmen; Guernsey fishing boat. Blue-to-green IGNITE windowed security thread. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: DE LA RUE. 142 x 75 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 149 x 80 mm

Red, blue, green, brown, orange, and yellow. Front: English text; ferry ship as registration device; Guernsey lily; Saint James Concert Hall in Saint Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; foil flower; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; unknown flowers and trees; Saint Sampson’s Church; Vale Castle; two small sail boats; ferry ship. 18-mm wide NEXUS stripe. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 149 x 80 mm. Paper.

2018 Commemorative Issues

This 20-pound note commemorates the 100th anniversary of World War I. It is like the preceding 2012 commemorative issue, but with the seal of Bailiwick surrounded by poppy flowers instead of the Diamond Jubilee seal flanked by laurels of olive branches, and TG/W (The Great War) prefix.

This 20-pound note commemorates the 100th anniversary of World War I. It is like the preceding 2012 commemorative issue, but with the seal of Bailiwick surrounded by poppy flowers instead of the Diamond Jubilee seal flanked by laurels of olive branches, and TG/W (The Great War) prefix.

Description: 20.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 149 x 80 mm

Red, blue, green, brown, orange, and yellow. Front: English text; ferry ship as registration device; Guernsey lily; St. James Concert Hall in St. Peter Port; poppy flowers surrounding Baliwick seal; foil poppy flower; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; poppy flowers and trees; St. Sampson’s Church; Vale Castle; two small sail boats; ferry ship. Windowed security thread with demetalized GUERNSEY. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 149 x 80 mm. Paper.

2013 Numismatic Products

On 4 July 2013, the States of Guernsey began selling 300,000 1-pound notes to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Thomas de la Rue’s first commercial venture. This commemorative note is like the preceding normal issue for this denomination, but with Thomas de la Rue on the back and TD/LR prefix. The notes were sold at double face value, plus 8 pounds for shipping and handling.

Description: 1.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 128 x 65 mm

Green, blue, purple, yellow, and brown. Front: English text; Guernsey lily underprint pattern; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; 1822 market scene with shoppers and tented stalls; quatrefoil as registration device. Back: English text; Guernsey lily underprint pattern; 1799 Fountain Street scene in St. Peter Port; Thomas de la Rue; Le Miroir Politique newspaper front page. Solid security thread with printed GUERNSEY. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 128 x 65 mm. Paper.

2009 Issues

This note is like the preceding issues, but with windowed security thread, foil patch to left of portrait, and Cornerstone watermarks.

Description: 20.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 149 x 80 mm

Red, blue, green, brown, orange, and yellow. Front: English text; ferry ship as registration device; Guernsey lily; St. James Concert Hall in St. Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; foil flower; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; unknown flowers and trees; St. Sampson’s Church; Vale Castle; two small sail boats; ferry ship. Windowed security thread with demetalized GUERNSEY. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 149 x 80 mm. Paper.

2000 Commemorative Issues

This 5-pound note commemorates the millennium.

Description: 5.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 135 x 70 mm

Pink, blue, green, brown, red, and yellow. Front: Arched Commemorating / 2000 / the Millennium overprint; English text; small boat as registration device; Guernsey lily; Town Church in St. Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; unknown flower; Fort Grey in Rocquaine Bay in St. Peter; stylized sunburst; 1862 Hanois Lighthouse; small boat. Solid security thread with printed GUERNSEY. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: DE LA RUE. 135 x 70 mm. Paper.

1994 – 1996 Issues

These notes feature new designs depicting Queen Elizabeth II. The 50-pound note is a new denomination for Guernsey.

Description: 5.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 135 x 70 mm

Pink, blue, green, brown, red, and yellow. Front: English text; Euphrosyne Kendal lifeboat as registration device; Guernsey lily; Town Church in St. Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; camellia flower; Fort Grey in Rocquaine Bay in St. Peter; stylized sunburst; 1862 Hanois Lighthouse; Euphrosyne Kendal lifeboat. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: Varieties. 135 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 142 x 75 mm

Blue, burgundy, orange, red, and yellow. Front: English text; Guernsey fishing boat as registration device; Guernsey lily; Elizabeth College building in St. Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; Les Niaux watermill; Saumarez Park building in Parish Castel; cluster of primroses; Le Trépied Dolmen; Guernsey fishing boat. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: Varieties. 142 x 75 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 149 x 80 mm

Red, blue, green, brown, orange, and yellow. Front: English text; SS Sarnia passenger vessel as registration device; Guernsey lily; St. James Concert Hall in St. Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; Freesia flowers; trees; St. Sampson’s Church; Vale Castle; two small sail boats in St. Sampson’s Harbour; SS Sarnia passenger vessel. Solid security thread with printed GUERNSEY. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: Varieties. 149 x 80 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 GGP – Guernsey Pound Size: 156 x 85 mm

Brown, green, yellow, pink, and blue. Front: English text; L’Invention sailing ship as registration device; Guernsey lily; The Royal Court House in St. Peter Port; olive branches flanking seal of Bailiwick; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: English text; Pointe de la Moye landscape; La Gran’mère stone carving; Letter of Marque; Wild Dog rose; St. Andrew’s Church; L’Invention sailing ship. Solid security thread with printed GUERNSEY. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 156 x 85 mm. Paper.