IRELAND, REPUBLIC. Lot of (3). Limerick Trades & Labour Council. 1, 5 & 10 Shillings, 1919. P-Unlisted. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63. An astonishing offering for those seeking to collect the trio of Limerick Soviet notes. The front of the notes read "General Strike Against British Militarism" in the top and bottom margins, and "The Workers of Limerick Promise to Pay the Bearer (Denomination)" at center. The notes are dated April 1919 in the left and right end designs. All are hand signed and display neat & bold signatures. The signatures are of John Cronin and James Casey. The one shilling displays the written denomination & counters in gray ink, whilst the 5 Shilling is in green ink and the 10 Shilling is in red ink. <p>The Limerick Soviet existed for a two week period, between April 15th to April 27th, 1919. The Soviet was formed as a response to the British Armys declaration of a "Special Military Area" after events from the Irish War of Independence. Limerick organized a General Strike, refusing to use British passes to enter the city, and instead issued their own passes, currency, fuel and food. After two weeks, martial law was finally lifted by the British Army and the strike was over. The Soviet ceased to exist after the strike ended, and the currency was quickly confiscated and destroyed by the British Military. The remaining notes not confiscated were promptly destroyed by the Irish to avoid being caught with contraband and sent to jail. This set of notes are a miracle of survival, and are sure to draw spirited bidding from any Irish or British collector seeking the rarest of the rare.<p>PMG comments "Small Tear" on the 5 & 10 Shilling notes. All are in Choice Uncirculated 63 grades.
