Description and research notes
The 1981 one hundred dollars printer annotation specimen represents an exceptional archival-stage artifact from New Zealand’s decimal currency series, issued within the ND (1981–1985) period under the signature of H.R. Hardie as Chief Cashier. This note belongs to the later Hardie design phase, distinguished by the revised portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting the mature design update that followed the earlier 1977–1981 issues.
Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, this piece departs entirely from standard specimen formats. It is neither an overprint specimen nor a perforated specimen, but rather a working-stage production note carrying direct printer annotations. The note bears Replacement Star Serial YA000000*, indicating its classification within replacement-style numbering used for controlled production and testing sequences.
A defining feature of this specimen is the presence of multiple handwritten printer annotations across the obverse. The word 'approved' is clearly written within the left field, accompanied by additional handwritten markings including numeric notation and initials, indicating internal review and authorization stages within the production process. These annotations represent direct evidence of decision-making during the approval workflow at Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited.
The note also carries a single punch-hole cancellation applied through the left portion of the design, serving as a basic invalidation method. Importantly, this specimen does not display any red overprint, perforated cancellation text, or oval control stamp, further distinguishing it from formal specimen distribution formats. The absence of these elements confirms its role as an internal control and evaluation piece rather than an externally issued specimen.
The design retains the full issued layout, featuring Queen Elizabeth II in engraved portrait form and the Captain James Cook watermark embedded within the paper, alongside the complex multitone guilloche structure characteristic of Bradbury Wilkinson’s production.
As a printer annotation specimen with replacement star serial, this note occupies a highly specialized category within New Zealand numismatics, representing a documented moment within the production and approval chain. Such pieces were typically retained internally and rarely survive outside institutional archives.
Graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated with Printer’s Annotations noted on the holder, the note presents full design clarity and complete structural integrity. The combination of handwritten approval markings, replacement star serial, and non-standard cancellation defines it as a unique and highly informative archival artifact of banknote production methodology.