The pound note was first issued in 1797 and was put into widespread use as an emergency measure to replace gold sovereigns during World War One. Originally broadcast on 12 November 1984. BBC Archive ...

By the end of February 1797, it had less than £1,000,000 left. And so, on 2 March, it started issuing low denomination promissory notes – the pound note was born (along with a two-pound note).