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| Gibraltar 50 pounds note |
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| Gibraltar 50 pounds banknote |
Gibraltar pound, Gibraltar banknotes, Gibraltar paper money, Gibraltar bank notes
Obverse: This carries a vignette of a Hackney Carriage, the typical form of transport in Gibraltar prior to the advent of the motor car. The Rock Apes (Macaca Sylvanus) are located beside and above the watermark.
The Rock Apes are world-famous and a popular touristic attraction. How they came to Gibraltar is uncertain, the most likely theory being that they were brought over as pets by the British and in time allowed to "go wild" on the upper slopes of the Rock.
Possibly the best-known story connected with the apes is how, on learning that their numbers had diminished alarmingly, Sir Winston Churchill rapidly intervened by ordering their numbers to be replenished. In actual fact, local officials had already done this, but "the Churchill story" continues to hold sway! The old saying is that Gibraltar will cease to be British on the day that there are no apes left on the Rock..
Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II wearing The Burmese Ruby Tiara.
The tiara was commissioned by the Queen in 1973 and manufactured by Garrard, the London jewellers. The design is in the form of a wreath of roses, with clusters of rubies in the center of each flower, and petals made of brilliant diamonds. The ninety-six rubies set into the tiara were a present from the Burmese people, and represent the number of diseases that they believe can afflict the human body. They credit the ruby with prophylactic powers guarding the wearer not only against illness, but also against evil. The diamonds are taken from the Nizam of Hyderabad Parure.
Nizam of Hyderabad Parure is a legendary Diamond Necklace and Tiara, a coronation gift from the Nizam of Hyderabad to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England. This wonderful tiara does not exist anymore. Made by Cartier and later broken up to be used in a new setting, in the Burmese Ruby Rose Tiara, crafted by Court jeweller Garrard.
Reverse: Portrait of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Winston Churchill. Spitfires on the runway at the North Front during Operation Torch, in 1942 during WWII.
The North Front at Gibraltar underwent drastic changes during the war years. Beautiful gardens, a racecourse, football and cricket pitches disappeared to make for the building of an airfield.
Operation Torch - the Allied Invasion of North Africa in which Gibraltar and its new airfield was played a vital role.