Rare Lake District Pound Notes Go on Sale for £150

A rare set of Lake District Pound notes has gone on sale online, offering collectors the chance to own a piece of recent Cumbrian history.

The eBay listing features four uncirculated 2018 notes in the £1, £5, £10 and £20 denominations with 'fancy' serial numbers. The set was issued as part of the local currency scheme that ended in January 2020, which encouraged visitors and residents to spend money with local businesses.

The Lake District Pound notes were exchanged at the same value as pound sterling but could only be spent with participating businesses in the area. The notes featured four well-known figures with Lake District links: Beatrix Potter on the £1 note, Alfred Wainwright on the £5, Joss Naylor on the £10, and John Ruskin on the £20.

The set is now listed for £150, despite having a combined face value of £36. Collectors may be interested in the notes' condition, as those with unusual serial numbers can attract extra attention. However, it's worth noting that the seller's description of 'fancy' serial numbers does not establish rarity or resale value.

The Lake District Pound scheme was launched in May 2018 and saw over £220,000 put into circulation among more than 350 participating businesses. The final notes ceased to be valid in January 2020 due to the increasing dominance of contactless payments.