Collection PL

Poland 1994 — 50 Złotych Remainder (Pick 175ar Miłczak 198a–b)

Remainder of the 50 złotych note issued by Narodowy Bank Polski within the first fully modern banknote series of the Third Republic, dated 25 March 1994. This example represents production-stage material retained outside the finalized circulation workflow and is cataloged as Pick 175ar, corresponding to Miłczak 198a–b. The note preserves the complete printed design prepared by Thomas De La Rue, London, including the portrait of King Kazimierz III Wielki (Casimir the Great), the integrated guilloche structures, and the finalized denomination and emblematic layout of the modernized Polish currency system. ... Read more →

Libya 1972 — Central Bank of Libya 10 Dinars Issued Note (Pick 37b, With Arabic Inscription)

This note represents the finalized circulation variety of the Central Bank of Libya 10 Dinars issue, classified as Pick 37b and dated to the 1972 production phase. It differs from the earlier Pick 37a issue by the addition of an Arabic legal inscription along the lower margin, bringing the design into alignment with the fully standardized Central Bank legal formula. The addition of the inscription reflects administrative consolidation rather than a redesign of the note’s security or artistic elements. ... Read more →

Ireland — Northern 2004 — Northern Bank £50 Specimen NR126 (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen of the 2004 Northern Bank £50, printed by De La Rue for Northern Bank Limited, Belfast. This pre-issue design was the last note prepared before the bank’s December 2004 robbery, the largest cash theft in UK history. The note carries the red SPECIMEN overprint and the oval NO VALUE control stamps, serial DA000000 001, and watermark of Sir Samuel C. ... Read more →

Ireland — Northern 2005 — Northern Bank £50 Replacement Prefix YY (Pick 208)

Replacement note for the 2005 Northern Bank £50 issue, printed by Thomas De La Rue, bearing the distinct 'YY' prefix used exclusively for replacement sheets following the 2004 Belfast vault robbery. These notes were part of the emergency replacement program that saw all pre-robbery stock withdrawn and destroyed, with new serial ranges produced under enhanced security oversight. Featuring the portrait of Sir Samuel Cleland Davidson (1846–1921), inventor and industrialist, the design celebrates Northern Ireland’s engineering legacy. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1981 — 100 Dollars H.R. Hardie Signature Replacement Star Serial YA000000* Printer Annotation Specimen (Pick 175as)

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. ... Read more →

United States 1928G — 2 Dollars Legal Tender Note Red Seal Star Replacement (Friedberg 1508*)

This 1928G 2 Dollars Legal Tender Note (Friedberg 1508*, A Block) is a high-grade Star Replacement example from the first small-size red seal issue of U.S. currency. The star prefix before the serial number *03707599A identifies it as a replacement printed to substitute for a defective note detected during Bureau of Engraving and Printing inspection — an early quality control process that makes such notes inherently scarcer than standard production pieces. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 1974 — Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Issued Note (Pick 5e)

This issued one dollar note of the Cayman Islands Currency Board belongs to the long-running series authorized under the Cayman Islands Currency Law of 1974, a framework that formalized the islands’ modern paper currency system while maintaining the Currency Board model of disciplined issuance. Although the note is dated 1974 in the series structure, the PMG label attribution indicates the later printing date as not dated 1985, reflecting a practice common to currency board emissions: a stable design and legal base date, paired with later printings as replacement and demand required during successive administrative terms. The obverse is built around a deliberately conservative composition typical of late twentieth century Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited output for British overseas territories. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1975 — 1 Dollar Replacement Star Note (Pick 163c*, Knight Signature, Serial Y91304453*, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated)

The 1975 one-dollar Replacement Star Note belongs to the R.L. Knight signature period of New Zealand’s decimal currency system and was issued within the 1975-1977 production range. Unlike ordinary circulation notes, replacement notes were created as reserve substitutes for spoiled or defective sheets discovered during manufacture. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1981 — 1 Dollar (Pick 169as, H.R. Hardie Signature, Star Serial AA000000*, Printer’s Annotation, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated)

The 1981 one-dollar specimen represents an exceptional and highly specialized production-stage piece from New Zealand’s decimal currency series, issued during the ND (1981–1985) period under the signature of H.R. Hardie as Chief Cashier. This note belongs to the later Hardie design featuring the revised, more mature portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, clearly distinguishing it from the earlier ND (1977–1981) issues bearing the same signatory. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 — 20 Francs Issued Note (Pick 54a)

Issued twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, representing the first fully matured expression of the Grand Duke Jean series within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this denomination reflects the point where design, engraving, and production discipline reached stable standardization for Luxembourg’s circulating paper money. The obverse features Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, engraved in deep intaglio with controlled line density and consistent ink distribution. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 — 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Early Design Concept (Pick Unlisted)

Face-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 29 July 1965, representing an early design concept later replaced during the development of the series. Produced as part of the internal design evaluation process, this monochrome proof is mounted on archival cardstock and preserves the full composition at a stage prior to final design selection. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal reference formatting used for photographic proofs. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 — 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof Early Design Concept (Pick Unlisted)

Back-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 29 July 1965, representing an early reverse design concept later replaced during the development of the series. Produced for internal evaluation, this monochrome proof is mounted on archival cardstock and preserves a composition that differs fundamentally from the finalized reverse adopted for the 1970 issue. The central vignette presents a river landscape with a cargo vessel in the foreground and a row of tall trees lining the bank, extending toward a simplified rural horizon. ... Read more →