No wonder we’re getting rid of cheques

With the announcement that the cheque is ending its existence in 2018, I wonder whether Gordon Brown inspired this decision.

This is because one of his cheques bounced way back in 1972, during his student days.

 

 

It was sold on eBay for £3,100 yesterday (double click to enlarge).

 

That's 1,000 times more than the value of the cheque itself which was for £3.

Here's the description from the eBay item:

"This is a cheque for £3 which Gordon Brown bounced in his student days. The Bank of Scotland cheque is marked 'refer to drawer', and is supported by a completed form from the Royal Bank of Scotland, advising the payee that the cheque has bounced, and debiting him 13p in charges.
The cheque was payment for Brown's room rent in a student house at the University of Edinburgh; the payee was Bill Paterson (misspelt by Brown), who was the Warden. The cheque should have been made out to the University, not to the Warden. Failing to find Brown again, to get the cheque made out properly, Bill dealt with Brown's mistake by writing a cheque to the University himself, and paying Brown's cheque into his own account.. Bill demanded, and got, Gordon's repayment in cash.
The cheque is currently owned by Kate Paterson, who was given it as a present by her husband, the ex-Warden."

It's amazing how your student days can set you up for the way you manage finances for life!

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