Collection PL

Italy 1871 — Standing Italia Vignette Die Proof (PS976)

Engraved vignette die proof of 'Standing Italia,' later integrated into the 250 Lire specimen of the Banca Italo-Germanica (1871–72, PS976). The allegory, modeled on classical prototypes, depicts Italia standing with shield and spear, emblematic of the country’s newly achieved unification and Rome’s designation as capital in 1871. Pulled directly from the master plate by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., this die proof captures the engraving in its purest state—sharp, uninked margins, and untouched by printing wear. ... Read more →

El Salvador 1996 — 25 Colones Face Die Proof (Pick 149p)

Large-format face die proof prepared by De La Rue in 1996 for the forthcoming 25 Colones issue later released 1997–1999 (SCWPM Pick 149 and subsequent variant Pick 155). The engraving depicts the Pirámide de San Andrés archaeological complex—an emblem of national heritage—rendered in tight intaglio with wide proof margins and a blank reverse. Functionally, die proofs are the printer’s finalized master impressions taken directly from the face die to verify line integrity, color separation, and registration before plate duplication and production. ... Read more →

El Salvador 1997 — 25 Colones Issued Note (Pick 149a)

First circulation issue of the 'Pirámide de San Andrés' 25 Colones design, dated 10 de Abril de 1997, printed by De La Rue for El Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador. This note inaugurated El Salvador’s final banknote generation prior to dollarization (2001), combining modern color engraving with refined microsecurity. The face shows the archaeological pyramid and national emblem, while the reverse features agricultural motifs referencing national productivity and export economy. ... Read more →

El Salvador 1997 — 25 Colones Specimen (Pick 149as)

Official specimen of the 1997 25 Colones issue printed by De La Rue, catalogued as Pick 149as. Features red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, oval control stamps, and circular perforation cancels. Specimens like this were distributed to issuing authorities, printers, and security archives for reference. ... Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 — 500 Denari Vignette Die Proof (Golden Death Mask)

This engraved vignette die proof preserves the Golden Mask motif prepared for the 500 Denari denomination of the Republic of Macedonia’s first post-independence banknote series issued in 1996. Produced by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, the proof represents one of the earliest physical stages in the creation of the banknote’s final design. A vignette die proof is printed directly from the engraved steel die before the image is transferred to the working plates used for banknote production. ... Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 - 500 Denari Issued Note GB2531560 Golden Death Mask (Pick 17a)

The 500 Denari banknote issued in 1996 forms part of the first modern currency series of the Republic of Macedonia following independence in 1991. Introduced by the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia as part of the country’s early monetary stabilization program, the series established the visual identity and security standards of the newly independent state’s paper currency. Production was entrusted to Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, whose security printing expertise shaped both the artistic and technical structure of the notes. ... Read more →

North Macedonia 2003 - 500 Denari Issued Note DA8148021 Golden Death Mask (Pick 21a)

The 500 Denari banknote dated January 2003 represents a continuation printing of the denomination within the banknote program of the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia. While maintaining the established design introduced in the 1996 series, the 2003 issue reflects a later production batch prepared by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, preserving the same national imagery while refining color balance and background guilloche structures. At the center of the design remains the Golden Mask motif derived from the funerary mask discovered at the archaeological site of Trebeništa near Ohrid, dating to the 6th century BCE. ... Read more →

New South Wales 1865 — Embossed 'ONE HALF PERCENT' Stamp Duty Fiscal Proof Specimen

This archival embossed proof was prepared for the Treasury of the Colony of New South Wales in 1865 as part of the design approval process for official stamp duty revenue paper. The piece displays the crowned colonial arms surrounded by a laurel wreath with the inscription 'ONE HALF PERCENT', executed in colourless embossing and framed by printer’s blue layout guide lines with a printed 'Specimen' designation. Unlike adhesive revenue stamps, this form of fiscal authentication was produced as embossed security paper intended to validate legal and financial documents. ... Read more →

Italy 1871 — Germania with Shield and Spear Vignette Die Proof Used for 500 Lire (Pick PS977)

This engraved vignette proof depicting 'Germania with Shield and Spear' was produced by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. in London for the Banca Italo-Germanica during the early 1870s. The impression preserves the complete ornamental vignette prepared for the proposed 500 Lire banknote design, including the decorative frame and denomination tablet engraved for integration into the final banknote layout. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1920 — Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company José Gervasio Artigas Engraved Portrait Die Proof (Reference 192A, Cancelled)

An engraved portrait die proof of José Gervasio Artigas produced by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company of London for the Republic of Uruguay. Printed in black from a master steel die onto thin India paper and mounted on card, this proof carries the printer identification, country designation, and the internal reference number “192A.” Directly beneath this reference, the word “CANCELLED” appears as a printed, typeset element, indicating formal cancellation at the printer level. The portrait depicts Artigas in restrained neoclassical profile, engraved with finely controlled line work and tightly structured cross-hatching. ... Read more →

Argentina 1876 — Banco de San Juan 5 Pesos Fuertes Central Portrait Vignette (Bradbury Wilkinson and Company)

This engraved central portrait vignette was produced by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company in London as the primary design element for the 1876 Banco de San Juan 5 Pesos Fuertes issue. It is not an unrelated or stock engraving, but the exact central allegorical figure integrated into the final banknote design, forming a direct and inseparable component of the note’s visual and symbolic structure. The vignette depicts a classical female allegory rendered in high-precision intaglio, embodying republican ideals, stability, and institutional authority. ... Read more →

Argentina 1876 — Banco de San Juan 1 Peso Fuerte Condor Vignette (Bradbury Wilkinson and Company)

This engraved condor vignette was produced by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company in London as a primary design element for the 1876 Banco de San Juan 1 Peso Fuerte issue. It is not an isolated or stock engraving, but the exact vignette integrated into the issued design framework of the note, forming a direct and traceable component of the final composition. The vignette depicts an Andean condor standing in a mountainous landscape, engraved with layered intaglio linework and controlled tonal depth. ... Read more →