Collection PL

About 1994.pl

Luxembourg’s paper-money sits inside the Belgian–Luxembourg monetary union (BLEU) yet keeps a distinctly national look. From the 1960s through the early 1980s, the visual language—fine lathework, tight guilloches, restrained pastels—was shaped by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. and De La Rue. The cleanest record of that craft isn’t in pocket-worn notes but in the photographic proofs, printer’s proofs and specimens that escaped the printers’ archives.

This page anchors two connected chapters. First, the 1970 100 Francs (Grand Duke Jean): we show face & back photographic proofs, a rare gridline specimen used for plate alignment at De La Rue, a color-trial, a specimen, and the issued note—an end-to-end view of how BLEU-era design moved from studio film to press. Second, the unissued 1982 high denominations (500 & 1000 Francs) prepared by BWC: created as a contingency during the 1982 devaluation shock, fully proofed and color-tested, then shelved when policy stabilized and the Institut Monétaire Luxembourgeois (1983) re-anchored joint issuance. Because circulation never happened, proofs and SPECIMENs are the only witnesses—rare, high-grade survivors that document a national series “ready to print” but never released. Use the filters above to pivot by type, printer or year; card-level text ties each piece back to this story so the set reads as one coherent chapter.

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Luxembourg 1982 1000 Francs specimen serial A000000 094 with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint and two punch holes, Pick 52bs, PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated

Luxembourg 1982 - 1000 Francs Specimen Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52bs)

As the highest denomination of the series, the 1000 Francs occupies a central position in understanding the full scope of this project. Lower denominations demonstrate structure, but this note expresses the complete design language, security density, and production intent of the issue at its maximum level. Read more →

LuxembourgSpecimen19821000 FrancsPMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated Specimen1000 FrancsRed SPECIMEN overprintDiagonal SPECIMENTwo Punch HolesPunch CancelledA000000 094Specimen Serial FormatGrand Duchess CharlotteLuxembourg banknote designIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternBradbury WilkinsonBWCLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionUnissued contingency issueUnissued 1982 seriesLuxembourg1982Pick 52bsPick 52bPMG 67 EPQSuperb Gem UncirculatedTop PopMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 1982 1000 Francs color trial specimen serial A000000 13 with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint and single punch hole, Pick 52bcts, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

Luxembourg 1982 - 1000 Francs Color Trial Specimen Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52bcts)

This example carries serial number A000000 13 in standard specimen format, with duplicated placement at left and right. A red diagonal 'SPECIMEN' overprint is applied across the central design, accompanied by a single punch-hole cancellation positioned below the central motif. These elements confirm its role as a controlled production-stage trial rather than a circulation note. Read more →

LuxembourgColor Trial Specimen19821000 FrancsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Color Trial SpecimenColor Trial1000 FrancsRed SPECIMEN overprintDiagonal SPECIMENSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledA000000 13Specimen Serial FormatGrand Duchess CharlotteLuxembourg banknote designIntaglio engravingColor variation testingGuilloche security patternBradbury WilkinsonBWCLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionUnissued contingency issueUnissued 1982 seriesLuxembourg1982Pick 52bctsPick 52bPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 1982 1000 Francs proof with no overprint or serials, Pick 52bp, PMG 55 EPQ About Uncirculated, Top Pop 1 of 1

Luxembourg 1982 - 1000 Francs Proof Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52bp)

Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, the note displays the full intaglio structure exactly as prepared for final production. The portrait of Grand Duchess Charlotte is rendered in sharp, uninterrupted engraving, surrounded by precise guilloche architecture and balanced ornamental framing. At this stage, the design exists as a controlled reference standard, used to verify engraving accuracy, layout integrity, and readiness for subsequent production phases. Read more →

LuxembourgProof19821000 FrancsPMG 55 EPQ About Uncirculated Proof1000 FrancsTop Pop 1 of 1Top PopUnique Graded ExampleHighest DenominationGrand Duchess CharlotteLuxembourg banknote designIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternBradbury WilkinsonBWCLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionUnissued contingency issueProduction reference stageUnissued 1982 seriesLuxembourg1982Pick 52bpPick 52bPMG 55 EPQAbout UncirculatedMuseum GradeR9 Extremely Rare
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Luxembourg 1982 500 Francs specimen serial A000000 096 with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint and two punch holes, Pick 52as, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

Luxembourg 1982 - 500 Francs Specimen Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52as)

The note remains in Gem Uncirculated condition with exceptional paper quality, preserving strong embossing, sharp print detail, and full clarity of all specimen control elements. Read more →

LuxembourgSpecimen1982500 FrancsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Specimen500 FrancsRed SPECIMEN overprintDiagonal SPECIMENTwo Punch HolesPunch CancelledA000000 096Specimen Serial FormatGrand Duchess CharlotteLuxembourg banknote designIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternBradbury WilkinsonBWCLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionUnissued contingency issueWorking denominationUnissued 1982 seriesLuxembourg1982Pick 52asPick 52aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 1982 500 Francs proof with no overprint or serials, Pick 52ap, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated, Top Pop 1 of 1

Luxembourg 1982 - 500 Francs Proof Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52ap)

Plate proof of the 1982 five hundred francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the finalized engraving stage prior to specimen marking, color testing, or production handling. As the primary working denomination within the intended series, the 500 Francs proof defines the practical structure of the design before any production-layer modifications were introduced. Read more →

LuxembourgProof1982500 FrancsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Proof500 FrancsTop Pop 1 of 1Unique Graded ExampleCore DenominationGrand Duchess CharlotteLuxembourg banknote designIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternBradbury WilkinsonBWCLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionUnissued contingency issueProduction reference stageUnissued 1982 seriesLuxembourg1982Pick 52apPick 52aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum GradeR9 Extremely Rare
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Luxembourg 1970 100 Francs calibration specimen serial D170001 with blue registration gridlines and handwritten printer annotation, Pick 56s

Luxembourg 1970 - 100 Francs Archival Gridlines Calibration Specimen Serial D170001 (Pick 56s)

Across the full surface, original blue registration gridlines remain visible. These were applied during pre-production calibration to verify positional alignment, spacing, and structural balance of all design elements prior to final output. Such grid systems were strictly functional and normally absent from finished material, making surviving examples direct physical evidence of press preparation and quality control procedures. Read more →

LuxembourgSpecimen1970100 FrancsPMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Specimen100 FrancsD170001Live SerialCalibration SheetGridlinesRegistration GridPrinter AnnotationHandwritten AnnotationGrand Duke JeanLuxembourg banknote designGuilloche security patternProduction calibrationPre-production controlThomas De La RueDe La RueTDLRLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionProduction workflowHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick 56sPick 56aPMG 65 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum GradeAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations
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Luxembourg 20 March 1970 100 Francs face photographic proof with serial A000000 mounted on archival cardstock, Grand Duke Jean portrait

Luxembourg 20 March 1970 - 100 Francs Face Photographic Proof Grand Duke Jean (Pick Unlisted)

The note displays serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with specimen-format numbering used for internal production and review material. The printed date 20 March 1970 is fully visible within the central obligation area, confirming the finalized design stage represented by this proof. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Face)1970100 FrancsPCGS 63 Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofFace Proof100 FrancsA000000Dual Serial FormatMounted CardstockArchival ProofGrand Duke JeanLuxembourg banknote designGuilloche security patternLayout approval stageLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic Union1970 issueHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick UnlistedPick 56aPCGS 63Choice NewMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 24 February 1970 100 Francs back photographic proof mounted on cardstock with handwritten date annotation and full cityscape design

Luxembourg 24 February 1970 - 100 Francs Back Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted)

A handwritten production annotation dated 24 February 1970 is visible along the lower margin, providing a direct reference to the internal review timeline. Such markings are characteristic of working proofs retained during layout approval and production coordination. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Back)1970100 FrancsPCGS 64 Apparent (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofBack Proof100 FrancsMounted CardstockArchival ProofDated AnnotationLuxembourg cityscapeReverse designLayout approval stageGuilloche borderLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic Union1970 issueHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick UnlistedPick 56aPCGS 64Very Choice NewMuseum GradeAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations
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Luxembourg 1970 100 Francs specimen Pick 56s with SPECIMEN overprint, punch hole cancellation, and serial A000000

Luxembourg 1970 - 100 Francs Specimen (Pick 56s)

Surviving specimens of this type are more accessible than photographic proofs but remain limited in high-grade preservation. This example, with full overprint, intact punch cancellation, and original paper quality, serves as a reference specimen within the 1970 Luxembourg series and a key component in documenting the full production lifecycle of the issue. Read more →

LuxembourgSpecimen1970100 FrancsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Specimen100 FrancsA000000Dual Serial FormatSPECIMEN OverprintPunch Hole CancellationGrand Duke JeanGuilloche security patternOffset and intaglio combinationIssued design typeLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic Union1970 issueHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick 56sPick 56aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 1970 100 Francs color trial specimen serial A000000 33 with diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint and two punch holes, Pick 56cts, PMG 58 EPQ Choice About Uncirculated

Luxembourg 1970 - 100 Francs Color Trial Specimen (Pick 56cts)

Color trials such as this were produced to test multiple variables simultaneously, including ink density, interaction between intaglio engraving and offset background layers, and legibility under both manual inspection and machine processing. Within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework, maintaining clear denomination recognition across mixed national issues was a critical requirement, making color differentiation a key functional parameter rather than a purely aesthetic choice. Read more →

LuxembourgColor Trial Specimen1970100 FrancsPMG 58 EPQ Choice About Uncirculated SpecimenColor Trial SpecimenColor TrialAlternative ColorBlue Color TrialDiagonal SPECIMEN overprintRed SPECIMENTwo Punch HolesPunch CancelledA000000 33Specimen Serial Format100 FrancsGrand Duke Jean portraitLuxembourg banknote designWatermark portraitIntaglio engravingSecurity printing featuresLuxembourg Belgium monetary unionEuropean currency systemBanknote development processColor differentiation testingHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick 56ctsPick 56aPMG 58 EPQChoice About UncirculatedMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 1970 100 Francs issued note serial A143655, Pick 56a, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

Luxembourg 1970 - 100 Francs Issued Note (Pick 56a)

Issued 1970 one hundred francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the finalized and circulating form of the Grand Duke Jean series within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. This example, serial A143655, reflects the completed execution of a design system that balanced national identity with the technical demands of a shared currency environment. Read more →

LuxembourgIssued Note1970100 FrancsPMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Issued Note100 FrancsLuxembourg1970Pick 56aGrand Duke JeanIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternWatermark portraitHigh cotton paperBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionCirculating currencyFinal production stageBanknote executionHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick 56aPMG 65 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade
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Luxembourg 100 Francs back photographic proof showing early composition study of bridge motif, mounted on cardstock, Pick Unlisted, PCGS 63 Choice New

Luxembourg Undated - 100 Francs Back Photographic Proof, Composition Study (Pick Unlisted)

The central vignette depicts the same bridge motif later used in the issued design, but rendered from a more distant viewpoint and within a broader spatial framework. This variation reflects an intermediate stage in which composition, scale, and visual balance were actively refined. The change in perspective demonstrates how designers adjusted scene depth and framing to achieve optimal clarity and integration with denomination and border elements. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Back)1970100 FrancsPCGS 63 Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofBack100 FrancsPick UnlistedComposition StudyEarly Layout StageDesign EvolutionBridge MotifPre-engraving stageArchival photographic proofLuxembourg monetary history1970 series developmentBanknote design processHistoryLuxembourg1970Pick UnlistedPCGS 63Choice NewMounted on CardstockMuseum Grade
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