On 16 February 1659, Nicholas Vanacker penned what is now recognised as the earliest known cheque in recorded history, instructing his bank to pay a sum of £400 to a Mr Delboe.
This rudimentary financial instrument, an ancestor of modern banking transactions, symbolised the transition from coin-based commerce to a more sophisticated credit system.
Though a mere slip of paper, it heralded an era where wealth could be transferred with ink rather than bullion.
Preserved through centuries, this historic cheque now resides at Westminster Abbey, offering a glimpse into the nascent days of financial innovation that shaped contemporary economic systems.