Description and research notes
A rare Thomas De La Rue test note, issued as a demonstration piece rather than circulating currency. Dated ND (1997), this 100 Units note was printed to showcase De La Rue’s advanced banknote security design, incorporating microtext, guilloche patterns, and the portal watermark. The obverse features a portrait of Thomas De La Rue with multicolor lathework and the company’s headquarters vignette. Test notes like this were produced for presentations, sales demonstrations, and security trials, not for public issue, and remain highly sought after by collectors.
Certified by PMG as Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ, this example ranks among the finest known. Such test pieces are seldom offered publicly, and their design exemplifies the technological innovations De La Rue introduced to the banknote printing industry in the late 20th century.