Collection — Specimens, Proofs & Issued Banknotes

New Zealand 1981 100 Dollars printer annotation specimen with replacement star serial YA000000*, handwritten approval markings, single punch hole, no overprint or oval stamp, Pick 175as, PMG 55 About Uncirculated.

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

As a printer annotation specimen with replacement star serial, this note occupies a highly specialized category within New Zealand numismatics, representing a documented moment within the production and approval chain. Such pieces were typically retained internally and rarely survive outside institutional archives. Read more →

New ZealandPrinter Annotation Specimen Replacement Star with Punch Hole1981100 DollarsPMG 55 About Uncirculated SpecimenPrinter annotation specimenPrinter’s annotationsHandwritten approvedApproval markingsStar serialReplacement style serialSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledNo OverprintNo Oval Stamp100 DollarsQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkBradbury WilkinsonBWCHardie SignatureH.R. HardieProduction control stagePrinter evaluation pieceDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandSecond design typeNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198119851981-1985YA000000*Pick 175asPick 175aPMG 55About UncirculatedMuseum GradeAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations

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New Zealand 1981 100 Dollars printer annotation specimen with serial YAA000000, handwritten approval markings, single punch hole, no overprint or oval stamp, Pick 175as, PMG 40 Extremely Fine.

New Zealand 1981 - 100 Dollars H.R. Hardie Signature Serial YAA000000 Printer Annotation Specimen with Single Punch Hole (Pick 175as)

The note bears Serial YAA000000, a structured control serial used for internal reference. A single punch-hole cancellation is applied through the left portion of the design, functioning as a basic invalidation method. Read more →

New ZealandPrinter Annotation Specimen with Punch Hole1981100 DollarsPMG 40 Extremely Fine SpecimenPrinter annotation specimenPrinter’s annotationsHandwritten approvedApproval markingsSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledNo OverprintNo Oval Stamp100 DollarsQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkBradbury WilkinsonBWCHardie SignatureH.R. HardieProduction control stagePrinter evaluation pieceDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandSecond design typeNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198119851981-1985YAA000000Pick 175asPick 175aPMG 40Extremely FineMuseum GradeAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations

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New Zealand 1981 100 Dollars H.R. Hardie Signature specimen with vertical perforated SPECIMEN on both sides and horizontal black SPECIMEN overprint, Serial YAA000000, Specimen No. 016, Pick 175as, PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated.

New Zealand 1981 - 100 Dollars H.R. Hardie Signature Vertical Perforated SPECIMEN Black Overprint Serial YAA000000 Specimen No. 016 (Pick 175as)

As a specimen from the ND (1981–1985) Hardie issue, this note represents a transitional and highly structured specimen format combining multiple control mechanisms. The coexistence of vertical perforations and black horizontal overprint defines it as a technically distinct and visually striking specimen type within the New Zealand decimal series. Read more →

New ZealandSpecimen with Vertical Perforations and Black Overprint1981100 DollarsPMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated SpecimenVertical Perforated SpecimenPerforated SPECIMENVertical perforation both sidesBlack OverprintHorizontal SPECIMEN overprintNo Punch HoleNo Oval Stamp100 DollarsQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkBradbury WilkinsonBWCHardie SignatureH.R. HardieSpecimen perforation formatDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandSecond design typeNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198119851981-1985Specimen No. 016YAA000000Pick 175asPick 175aPMG 58Choice About UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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New Zealand 1985 100 Dollars issued note signed by S.T. Russell, serial YAB369567, refined Queen Elizabeth II portrait, Bradbury Wilkinson printing, Pick 175b, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated.

New Zealand 1985 - 100 Dollars S.T. Russell Signature Issued Note Serial YAB369567 (Pick 175b)

The 1985 one hundred dollars note represents the final chapter of New Zealand’s traditional paper currency for its highest denomination, issued within the ND (1985–1989) period under the authority of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and bearing the signature of S.T. Russell as Chief Cashier. This series marks the last fully developed paper format before the transition to polymer, preserving the culmination of decades of engraving, layout refinement, and security evolution. Read more →

New ZealandIssued Note1985100 DollarsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Issued Note100 DollarsQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkBradbury WilkinsonBWCRussell SignatureS.T. RussellLate paper seriesFinal paper issueDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198519891985-1989YAB369567Pick 175bPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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New Zealand 1985 100 Dollars specimen with black SPECIMEN overprints, dual oval DE LA RUE stamps, single punch hole, handwritten top margin annotations, Serial YAC000000, Specimen No. 004, Pick 175bs, PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated.

New Zealand 1985 - 100 Dollars S.T. Russell Signature Black Overprint Specimen No. 004 with Dual Oval Stamps and YAC000000 Serial (Pick 175bs)

Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, this specimen combines multiple control and validation features rarely seen together on a single note. The central design carries a bold black 'SPECIMEN' overprint applied horizontally, distinguishing it from earlier red-overprint formats. In addition, a second black 'SPECIMEN' marking appears at right, alongside a third printed specimen designation integrated near the lower left serial area, creating a multi-point overprint system across the design. Read more →

New ZealandSpecimen with Black Overprint, Oval Stamps, and Punch Hole1985100 DollarsPMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated SpecimenOverprint SpecimenBlack OverprintHorizontal SPECIMEN overprintMultiple SPECIMEN markingsDual Oval StampOval Stamp DE LA RUESingle Punch HolePunch CancelledPrinter AnnotationsHandwritten annotationsTop margin annotations100 DollarsQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkBradbury WilkinsonBWCRussell SignatureS.T. RussellLate paper seriesFinal paper issueSpecimen control systemDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198519891985-1989Specimen No. 004YAC000000Pick 175bsPick 175bPMG 58Choice About UncirculatedMuseum GradeAnnotations

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New Zealand 1985 100 Dollars perforated SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE with no punch holes, S.T. Russell signature, serial YAC000000, top population PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated, Pick 175bs.

New Zealand 1985 - 100 Dollars S.T. Russell Signature Perforated SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE Serial YAC000000 (Pick 175bs)

Graded PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated, this example stands alone at the highest certified level for this issue, with a population of one and no examples recorded in higher grades. This top population status places it at the absolute pinnacle of known survivals, combining elite preservation with a rare and technically distinct specimen format. Read more →

New ZealandPerforated SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE1985100 DollarsPMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated SpecimenPerforated SpecimenSPECIMEN OF NO VALUE perforationPerforated cancellationNo Punch HoleNo OverprintNo Oval Stamp100 DollarsQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkBradbury WilkinsonBWCRussell SignatureS.T. RussellPerforation control formatDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandFinal paper issueNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198519891985-1989YAC000000Pick 175bsPick 175bPMG 67 EPQSuperb Gem UncirculatedTop PopMuseum Grade

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New Zealand 1992 100 Dollars Rutherford specimen with vertical red SPECIMEN overprint, dual De La Rue oval stamps, punch hole cancellation, extensive handwritten printer annotations, serial AA000000 003, Pick 181s, PMG 58.

New Zealand 1992 - 100 Dollars Rutherford Design Vertical Red SPECIMEN Overprint Printer-Annotated TDLR Specimen (Pick 181s)

This example represents a complex internal printer specimen, combining multiple control and approval features rarely encountered together on a single note. The most visually striking element is the red 'SPECIMEN' overprint applied vertically from top to bottom across the portrait and central design. This orientation differs fundamentally from the standard diagonal format used on earlier De La Rue specimens, indicating a distinct production or presentation method within the 1992 issue. Read more →

New ZealandSpecimen with Red Overprint, Oval Stamps and Printer Annotations1992100 DollarsPMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated SpecimenRed SPECIMEN overprintVertical SPECIMEN overprintUnusual overprint orientationDual oval control stampsSPECIMEN NO VALUE stampSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledPrinter AnnotationsHandwritten approval markingsArchival working specimen100 DollarsRutherford designLord Rutherford of NelsonAtomic model imageryNobel Prize referenceThomas De La RueTDLRDon Brash signatureGovernor signatureSpecimen control processDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandFinal paper seriesTransition to polymerHistoryNew Zealand1992AA000000Specimen 3Pick 181sPMG 58Museum GradeAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations

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United States 1929 Type 2 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note The First National Bank of Easthampton Massachusetts Fr 1801-2 Chapter 428 PMG 63 EPQ

United States 1929 Type 2 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note - The First National Bank of Easthampton, Massachusetts Charter 428 (Fr. 1801-2)

The First National Bank of Easthampton, Massachusetts, Charter 428, was organized on May 17, 1864, during the first wave of the National Banking era. Originally titled The First National Bank of East Hampton, it shortened its name to Easthampton in 1903 as the town itself adopted the single-word spelling. The institution served a growing industrial community along the Manhan River, best known for its textile and elastic mills financed by local manufacturer and bank founder Samuel Williston. Read more →

United StatesNational Bank Note192910 DollarsPMG 63 EPQ Choice Uncirculated 10 DollarsNational Bank NoteIssued NoteType 2EasthamptonMassachusettsCharter 428Hamilton1929PMG 63 EPQLocal Banking History

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United States 1929 Type 1 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note The Farmers National Bank of Sussex New Jersey Fr 1801-1 CH 1221 PMG 30 EPQ

United States 1929 Type 1 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note - The Farmers National Bank of Sussex, New Jersey Charter 1221 (Fr. 1801-1)

Certified PMG 30 EPQ Very Fine, this survivor retains full color and originality-a rare trait for notes that circulated heavily in rural trade. With fewer than fifty small-size notes known for this charter, it is a tangible link to Sussex County’s 19th-century banking heritage and a surviving witness to the closing generation of the National Banking system. Read more →

United StatesNational Bank Note192910 DollarsPMG 30 EPQ Very Fine 10 DollarsNational Bank NoteIssued NoteType 1SussexNew JerseyCharter 1221Hamilton1929PMG 30 EPQLocal Banking History

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United States 1995 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Minneapolis District Fr 2032-I Printed Tear Error PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

United States 1995 – 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note – Minneapolis District Printed Tear Error (Fr.2032-I)

The error noted by PMG as 'Printed Tear Error' occurred when the sheet suffered a slight tear or snag during the intaglio impression stage. Instead of discarding the damaged substrate, the BEP press cycle continued, causing a distortion or ink void along the affected margin before the paper was repaired or trimmed. Such anomalies provide a glimpse into the precision-and occasional fallibility-of modern currency production, where speed and volume can produce rare, visually distinctive results. Read more →

United StatesError Note199510 DollarsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated 10 DollarsFederal Reserve NoteIssued NoteError NotePrinted Tear ErrorMinneapolis1995HamiltonBureau of Engraving and PrintingPMG 66 EPQ

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United States 1970s Giori Test Note Jefferson Center black front green back inverted red serial number CT68666 watermark PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

United States ca. 1970s – Giori Test Note – Jefferson Center, Black Front / Greenback Inverted Experimental Serial With Watermark

Certified PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated, the note preserves original embossing, crisp detail, and paper originality. It reflects the intersection of design and technology during a transformative period in U.S. security printing. Read more →

United StatesTest Note1970Test NotePMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated United StatesGiori Test NoteJefferson Center1970Black FrontGreenbackInverted SerialExperimental SerialWatermarkPMG 64 EPQ

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United States 1970s COPE Experimental Test Note serial A82432955A blank format PCGS 65 PPQ Gem New

United States ca. 1970s – C.O.P.E. Experimental Test Note Serial A82432955A

The note itself carries no engraved design beyond the twin black-ink serials A82432955A applied in standardized placement. Its plain surface was used to monitor ink adhesion, roller alignment, and sequential numbering precision under mechanical feed. Each sheet was passed through experimental overprinting heads simulating real production conditions but without a printed plate image, allowing engineers to isolate calibration variables independent of design complexity. Read more →

United StatesTest Note1970Test NotePCGS 65 PPQ Gem New United StatesCOPE Test NoteExperimental1970Serial Number CalibrationBureau of Engraving and PrintingPCGS 65 PPQCurrency Overprinting and Processing Equipment

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