Collection — Specimens, Proofs & Issued Banknotes

Uruguay 1887 Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 20 Centesimos Pick A88c issued note serial H092503 with red CANELONES branch overprint

Uruguay 1887 - Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 20 Centesimos CANELONES Branch Overprint Serial H092503 (Pick A88c)

Serial H092503 belongs to the H-prefix distribution of the mechanically signed production phase. The uniformity of signature placement and stroke confirms mechanical reproduction rather than hand application. The overprint was applied locally using manual press methods, resulting in minor variations in ink density and impression pressure characteristic of provincial branch markings. Read more →

UruguayIssued Note188720 CentesimosFine to Very Fine (PMG 15 to 20 estimated) Issued Note20 CentesimosSerial H092503Printed SignaturesCANELONES Branch OverprintRed OverprintMercury AllegoryGreen Guilloche ReverseWaterlow and SonsBanco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del UruguayProvincial Branch DistributionLey 25 de Agosto de 1887Uruguay Metallic Standard EraUruguay1887Pick A88cMuseum Grade

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Uruguay 1870 50 Centesimos Junta de Credito Publico Cow Head Serial 274594

Uruguay 1870 - Republica Oriental del Uruguay 50 Centesimos, Junta de Credito Publico (“Cow Head”) Serial 274594 (Pick A109b)

Cataloged as Pick A109b / PMG A109b (Cincuenta Centesimos, 4 de Mayo de 1870), this variety is extremely scarce-only four examples appear in the PMG census, graded between 10 and 20. Serial 274594 demonstrates the note’s full border and clear signatures. Within the Uruguay early-issue series, it stands as the defining 'Cow Head' note, linking the locally produced 1870 currency experiment to the later industrial precision of the 1871 ABNC and 1887 Waterlow printings. Read more →

UruguayIssued Note187050 CentesimosFine–Very Fine (est.) Junta de Credito PublicoCow Head50 CentesimosUruguay1870Local PrintEarly Issue

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Photographic transparency essay showing the Maenad engraving prepared for the 1996 North Macedonia 5000 Denari banknote

North Macedonia 1996 - 5000 Denari Photographic Transparency Essay (Maenad Vignette)

Because the transparency records the engraving without ink spread, paper absorption, or offset color layers, it preserves the Maenad figure in its most technically precise state. Every engraved line appears exactly as cut into the die, providing a rare view of the design before it was integrated into the complex layered printing structure of the finished banknote. Read more →

North MacedoniaPhotographic Proof19965000 DenariPCGS 63 Choice New Photographic ProofEssayPhotographic TransparencyPre-Press ProofEngraving Stage ProofMaenadMaenad VignetteBanknote EngravingSecurity Printing ProcessDe La RueBanknote Production WorkflowPre-Press MaterialsBanknote Design DevelopmentNorth Macedonia19965000 DenariPCGS 63Choice NewMuseum Grade

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North Macedonia 1996 5000 Denari De La Rue specimen with red SPECIMEN overprint, oval De La Rue NO VALUE stamp, EA0000000 control serial and specimen number 006

North Macedonia 1996 - 5000 Denari Specimen Maenad EA0000000 No. 006 (Pick 19s)

This official printer specimen of the 5000 Denari belongs to the inaugural post-independence banknote series of the Republic of Macedonia, introduced in 1996 by the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia. The series was produced by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited of London, whose security printing program established the technical and visual identity of the country’s modern currency. Read more →

North MacedoniaSpecimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp19965000 DenariPMG 64 Choice Uncirculated SpecimenRed SPECIMEN OverprintOval De La Rue NO VALUE StampTwin Punch CancelsPrinter SpecimenDe La RueSecurity PrintingPrinter Verification CopyEA0000000 Specimen SerialSpecimen Tracking NumberMaenadMaenad WatermarkClassical Macedonian SculptureNorth Macedonia19965000 DenariPick 19sPMG 64Choice UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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North Macedonia 1996 5000 Denari issued banknote EA5464675 featuring the Maened vignette, graded PMG 66 EPQ

North Macedonia 1996 - 5000 Denari Issued Note EA5464675 Maened (Pick 19a)

The printed structure reflects the full late-twentieth-century De La Rue production methodology. A multi-color offset background establishes the geometric and ornamental framework of the design, over which a finely engraved intaglio key plate provides the principal portrait and denomination elements. This layered printing process produces the raised tactile texture characteristic of intaglio engraving while preserving the color complexity achievable through offset lithography. Additional protective elements include a metallic security thread embedded within the paper, microtext inscriptions, a see-through register that aligns when the note is held to light, and intricate guilloche patterns engineered to resist photographic or digital reproduction. Read more →

North MacedoniaIssued Note19965000 DenariPMG 66 EPQ Issued NoteMaenedMaened WatermarkDe La RueSecurity PrintingIntaglio EngravingMicrotextSecurity ThreadSee-Through RegisterNorth Macedonia19965000 DenariPick 19aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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Engraved vignette die proof of the Golden Mask motif used on the 1996 North Macedonia 500 Denari banknote

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

Certified PCGS Currency 64 PPQ Very Choice New, this proof retains a strong engraved impression on clean proof paper. As a direct record of the engraving used in the final banknote design, it serves as primary documentation of the artistic and technical work performed in De La Rue’s engraving department during the development of Macedonia’s first modern currency series. Read more →

North MacedoniaVignette1996500 DenariPCGS 64 PPQ Very Choice New VignetteDie ProofVignette Die ProofGolden Death MaskGolden Mask of TrebenishtaBanknote EngravingEngraving Approval StagePre-Press ProofSecurity PrintingBanknote Production WorkflowDe La RueDe La Rue Engraving DepartmentNorth Macedonia1996500 DenariPick 17aPCGS 64 PPQVery Choice NewMuseum Grade

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North Macedonia 1996 500 Denari specimen with red SPECIMEN overprint, De La Rue NO VALUE stamp, GA0000000 control serial and specimen number 006

North Macedonia 1996 - 500 Denari Specimen Golden Death Mask GA0000000 No. 006 (Pick 17s)

The serial format GA0000000 represents De La Rue’s standard specimen control numbering convention for the denomination. Instead of a normal circulating serial number, all digits are replaced with zeros to identify the note as a printer specimen. Separate from this control serial is the printed tracking panel reading “SPECIMEN No. 006,” which records the note’s position within the specimen distribution sequence supplied to the issuing authority and archival collections. Read more →

North MacedoniaSpecimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp1996500 DenariPMG 64 Choice Uncirculated SpecimenRed SPECIMEN OverprintOval De La Rue NO VALUE StampTwin Punch CancelsPrinter SpecimenGolden Death MaskGolden Mask of TrebenishtaWatermarkSecurity PrintingDe La RuePrinter Verification CopySpecimen Control SerialSpecimen Tracking NumberNorth Macedonia1996500 DenariPick 17sPMG 64Choice UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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1996 North Macedonia 500 Denari issued banknote GB2531560 featuring the Golden Death Mask motif, graded PMG 66 EPQ

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

Within the production chain documented by related pieces in this series, the issued banknote represents the final stage of development. Earlier steps included vignette die proofs of the Golden Mask engraving and De La Rue printer specimens carrying specimen control markings. The present note demonstrates the completed integration of engraving, offset color structure, and security features in the form released for circulation. Read more →

North MacedoniaIssued Note1996500 DenariPMG 66 EPQ Issued NoteGolden Death MaskGolden Mask of TrebenishtaArchaeological HeritageBanknote EngravingDe La RueSecurity PrintingIntaglio EngravingOffset PrintingSecurity ThreadMicrotextSee-Through RegisterGuilloche PatternsWatermarkNorth Macedonia1996500 DenariPick 17aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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2003 North Macedonia 500 Denari issued banknote DA8148021 featuring the Golden Death Mask motif, graded PMG 67 EPQ

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

The printing architecture follows the standard De La Rue security model of the period. A multicolor offset underprint establishes the geometric field and tonal background of the note, while the primary design elements are rendered through intaglio engraving, producing the raised tactile surface associated with high-security banknote production. This layered approach combines aesthetic depth with functional anti-counterfeiting performance. Read more →

North MacedoniaIssued Note2003500 DenariPMG 67 EPQ Issued NoteGolden Death MaskGolden Mask of TrebenishtaArchaeological HeritageBanknote EngravingDe La RueSecurity PrintingIntaglio EngravingOffset PrintingSecurity ThreadMicrotextSee-Through RegisterGuilloche PatternsWatermarkNorth Macedonia2003500 DenariPick 21aPMG 67 EPQSuperb Gem UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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

The embossing itself was almost certainly executed by Thomas De La Rue & Company in London, which served as a primary supplier of colonial revenue dies and printing services during this period. Embossed die proofs such as this were created so that government officials could inspect the quality of the engraving and confirm the alignment of the die before authorizing full production of the fiscal paper. Read more →

AustraliaFiscal Die Proof1865One Half PercentUnissued archival proof (colourless embossing with printed SPECIMEN) Fiscal ProofDie ProofEmbossed Revenue PaperStamp Duty PaperAd Valorem DutyOne Half PercentNew South Wales TreasuryColonial Revenue SystemGovernment Fiscal PaperLegal Document AuthenticationThomas De La RueTDLRCowan & Sons PaperSecurity Paper ProductionEmbossed Die EngravingEarly Security PrintingAustraliaNew South Wales1865Colonial Fiscal PrintingRevenue Paper HistoryMuseum Grade

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Italy 1871 Germania with shield and spear vignette die proof engraved by Bradbury Wilkinson for the Banca Italo-Germanica 500 Lire design

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

The allegorical figure represents Germania, the female national personification of Germany. Crowned with laurel and armed with spear and shield bearing the imperial eagle, she embodies the newly unified German Empire proclaimed in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War. The appearance of Germania on a banknote prepared for an Italian banking institution reflects the transnational character of the Banca Italo-Germanica, a financial enterprise intended to facilitate commercial and industrial cooperation between Italy and the newly unified Germany during the rapid economic expansion of the period. Read more →

ItalyVignette1871-PMG Certified (Vignette Proof) VignetteVignette ProofIntaglio PrintSteel EngravingBanknote EngravingGermania AllegoryGermania with Shield and SpearFemale Personification of GermanyImperial Eagle ShieldBradbury WilkinsonBWCSecurity Printing19th Century EngravingEngraving Approval StageBanca Italo-GermanicaItalo-German Banking RelationsEuropean Banking HistoryGerman Unification EraItaly1871500 LirePS977Museum Grade

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1830s Penn Township Savings Institution 10 Cents proof deposit certificate engraved by Underwood Bald Spencer & Hufty of Philadelphia

United States 1830s - Pennsylvania, Philadelphia - Penn Township Savings Institution 10 Cents Proof (Unlisted)

This engraved proof note was prepared for the Penn Township Savings Institution of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the early 1830s. Rather than serving as circulating currency, the document represents a fractional savings deposit certificate issued by one of the many mutual savings institutions that emerged in American cities during the early nineteenth century. Read more →

United StatesObsolete Proof Note183010 CentsProof (Unissued) Obsolete ProofPick UnlistedUnlistedSavings Deposit CertificateFractional Savings NoteEarly Micro-SavingsMortgage Backed DepositWilliam Penn PortraitPenn Township Savings InstitutionPhiladelphia Banking HistoryMutual Savings BankUnderwood Bald Spencer & HuftyAmerican Security PrintingPre-American Bank Note Company Engraving19th Century EngravingUnited StatesPennsylvaniaPhiladelphia1830s10 CentsObsolete CurrencyEarly American BankingMuseum Grade

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