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)

Specimen of the 1982 one thousand francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the highest denomination prepared within this short-lived contingency series featuring Grand Duchess Charlotte. As the apex denomination, the 1000 Francs defines the full technical and visual ambition of the issue, combining the most complex engraving, the highest value tier, and the most advanced security layout of the set. 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 issueHistoryLuxembourg1982Pick 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)

Color trial specimen of the 1982 one thousand francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the experimental color phase of the highest denomination prepared within this contingency series. As the top denomination, the 1000 Francs carries the full complexity of the design system, and in color trial form, it exposes the decision layer behind the final adopted palette. 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 issueHistoryLuxembourg1982Pick 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)

Within the full structure of the series, this proof occupies the primary position. It precedes the color trial phase, where palette variations were explored, and the specimen phase, where control markings and cancellations were applied. Together, these stages form a complete production chain-but this piece stands at the origin of that sequence. 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 stageHistoryLuxembourg1982Pick 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 denominationHistoryLuxembourg1982Pick 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)

Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, the note presents the complete design in its pure form, without overprints, serial numbering, or cancellation. The portrait of Grand Duchess Charlotte is rendered in precise intaglio engraving, supported by a dense guilloche framework and balanced ornamental layout. At this stage, the note functions as a reference standard, used to confirm engraving accuracy, spatial alignment, and readiness for transition into subsequent production phases. 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 stageHistoryLuxembourg1982Pick 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)

Within the broader production sequence, this example occupies the transitional stage between finalized design approval and full circulation output. It stands between photographic proofs, which establish layout, and finished specimens, which represent completed notes. As such, it captures the exact point at which design becomes controlled production. 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)

Mounted on original cardstock, the piece reflects standard archival handling for internal review materials within the production process. Such proofs were not intended for distribution and were typically discarded after approval stages were completed. 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)

Photographic proofs of this type were used to evaluate composition, spatial balance, and engraving translation after the design had been finalized. Unlike plate proofs, they do not reflect ink depth or printing pressure, but instead provide a precise visual reference for layout alignment, vignette positioning, and border integration. 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)

As part of the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union monetary system, this series represents Luxembourg’s maintained national identity within a shared currency framework. While circulating alongside Belgian issues, Luxembourg retained its own designs, engraving plates, and production specifications. 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)

Surviving color trial specimens are limited, as they were not intended for distribution and were typically retained only within printing archives. This example, combining alternative palette, specimen serial format, overprint, and punch cancellation, represents a complete and well-preserved record of the color testing stage within the 1970 Luxembourg issue. 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)

Photographic proofs of this type were internal tools used to refine composition before committing to engraving. They document the evolution of a design rather than presenting a separate or competing concept. Most were discarded once the final layout was selected, making surviving examples rare evidence of the decision-making process. 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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