Collection — Specimens, Proofs & Issued Banknotes

New Zealand 1981 1 Dollar issued note H.R. Hardie signature revised Queen Elizabeth II portrait serial AAA000662 Pick 169a PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated.

New Zealand 1981 - 1 Dollar H.R. Hardie Signature Issued Note Serial AAA000662 (Pick 169a)

As part of the ND (1981–1985) Hardie issue, this note represents the stabilized stage of New Zealand’s decimal system, following the earlier transitional periods of Fleming, Wilks, and the first Hardie design. The combination of updated portraiture, printer change, and refined production techniques defines this as a distinct and mature phase within the country’s modern banknote evolution. Read more →

New ZealandIssued Note19811 DollarPMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated Issued Note1 DollarQueen Elizabeth II portrait revisedCaptain James Cook watermarkDecimal currency noteOriginal issueSerial number noteBradbury WilkinsonBWCHardie SignatureH.R. HardieRevised Hardie signature typeStandard circulation productionDecimal SeriesReserve Bank of New ZealandSecond design typeNew Zealand currency evolutionHistoryNew Zealand198119851981-1985AAA000662Pick 169aPMG 67 EPQSuperb Gem UncirculatedTop PopMuseum Grade

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New Zealand 1981 1 Dollar printer annotation specimen with star serial AA000000*, handwritten not approved marking, single punch hole, no overprint or oval stamp, Pick 169as, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated.

New Zealand 1981 - 1 Dollar H.R. Hardie Signature Printer’s Annotation Specimen Star Serial AA000000* (Pick 169as)

Unlike other specimen types of the period, this example does not carry a red overprint, perforated 'SPECIMEN' markings, or De La Rue oval control stamps. Instead, it features a single punch-hole cancellation, applied as a basic invalidation method. Additional pen markings and testing lines are visible on both obverse and reverse, consistent with internal handling, evaluation, or marking procedures during the production process. Read more →

New ZealandPrinter Annotation Specimen with Punch Hole19811 DollarPMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated SpecimenPrinter annotation specimenPrinter’s annotationsHandwritten not approvedStar serialReplacement style serialSingle Punch HolePunch CancelledNo OverprintNo Oval Stamp1 DollarQueen 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 Zealand198119851981-1985AA000000*Pick 169asPick 169aPMG 65 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum GradeAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations

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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)

Within the broader production sequence, this piece occupies the stage between initial layout definition and finalized reverse engraving. It complements the issued note and other developmental material by revealing how the adopted composition was derived through controlled adjustment rather than abrupt redesign. 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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Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Issued Note (Pick 54a)

Issued twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, representing the first fully matured expression of the Grand Duke Jean series within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this denomination reflects the point where design, engraving, and production discipline reached stable standardization for Luxembourg’s circulating paper money. Read more →

LuxembourgIssued Note196620 FrancsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Issued Note20 FrancsPick 54aGrand Duke JeanIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternWatermark portraitDe La Rue printingLuxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionBanknote production processHistoryLuxembourg1966Pick 54aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Specimen (Pick 54s)

Specimen of the twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, produced as part of the official reference and control series for the Grand Duke Jean issue within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this piece represents the approved design in its non-circulating validation format. Read more →

LuxembourgSpecimen196620 FrancsPMG 64 Choice Uncirculated Specimen20 FrancsPick 54sGrand Duke JeanIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternWatermark portraitDe La Rue printingHorizontal SPECIMEN overprintTwo Punch HolesA000000Luxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionBanknote production processHistoryLuxembourg1966Pick 54sPick 54aPMG 64Choice UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Color Trial Specimen (Pick 54cts)

The reverse design presents a detailed Moselle river landscape, integrating agricultural and transport elements within a finely engraved framework. In this trial state, the monochrome execution of the reverse highlights compositional balance and structural clarity without reliance on final color application, reinforcing its role as an evaluation piece rather than a presentation specimen. Read more →

LuxembourgColor Trial Specimen196620 FrancsPMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Color Trial Specimen20 FrancsPick 54ctsGrand Duke JeanIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternExperimental colorColor evaluationDe La Rue printingSPECIMEN overprintPunch holesA000000Luxembourg monetary systemBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionBanknote production processHistoryLuxembourg1966Pick 54ctsPick 54aPMG 66 EPQGem UncirculatedMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg 1982 20 Francs specimen Pick 54As with multicolor design, horizontal SPECIMEN overprint and single punch hole, PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated

Luxembourg 1982 - 20 Francs Specimen Unissued Series (Pick 54As)

Specimen of the unissued 1982 twenty francs series of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company as part of a fully prepared but never released national banknote program. This example, serial A000000 099, represents a complete and finalized design held at the specimen stage, with no corresponding issued notes known for the type. Read more →

LuxembourgSpecimen198220 FrancsPMG 67 Exceptional Paper Quality Superb Gem Uncirculated Specimen20 FrancsPick 54AsGrand Duke JeanIntaglio engravingGuilloche security patternMulticolor designSingle Punch HoleHorizontal SPECIMEN overprintA000000 099Bradbury Wilkinson and CompanyBradbury WilkinsonBWCLuxembourg monetary systemUnissued 1982 seriesBelgian Luxembourg Economic UnionContingency issueHistoryLuxembourg1982Pick 54AsPick 54aPMG 67 EPQSuperb Gem UncirculatedTop PopMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg 29 July 1965 20 Francs face photographic proof serial A000000 showing early abandoned design concept with softer portrait and unrefined layout, mounted on cardstock

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 - 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Early Design Concept (Pick Unlisted)

Typography and denomination layout further confirm the preliminary nature of this design. The central "VINGT FRANCS" device appears heavier and less harmonized with the ornamental framework, while the surrounding guilloche elements remain comparatively loose and less mechanically structured. The overall composition reflects an exploratory phase in which visual hierarchy, spacing, and integration of textual and portrait elements were still being actively evaluated. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Face)196520 FrancsPCGS 63 Apparent Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofFace Proof20 FrancsA000000Dual Serial FormatMounted on CardstockHandwritten Date 29 July 1965Grand Duke JeanEarly portrait styleUnrefined layoutLoose guilloche structurePre-final typographyAbandoned design conceptDesign replacement stagePre-1970 seriesBanknote design developmentHistoryLuxembourg1965Pick UnlistedPCGS 63Choice NewMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg 29 July 1965 20 Francs back photographic proof showing early abandoned reverse design with river boat and tree-lined bank, mounted on cardstock

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 - 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof Early Design Concept (Pick Unlisted)

Unlike the finalized reverse design-featuring the more complex valley, dam, and engineered river control structures associated with the issued Pick 54-this early concept emphasizes a pastoral scene with minimal architectural intervention. The absence of tightly integrated guilloche framing and reduced ornamental precision indicate that the reverse design had not yet reached its final technical configuration. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Back)196520 FrancsPCGS 63 Apparent Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofBack Proof20 FrancsMounted on CardstockHandwritten Date 29 July 1965Early reverse designBoat vignetteRiver landscapeAlternative compositionPre-final reverse layoutAbandoned design conceptDesign replacement stagePre-1970 seriesBanknote design developmentHistoryLuxembourg1965Pick UnlistedPCGS 63Choice NewMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg August 1965 20 Francs face photographic proof serial A000000 showing transitional design with oversized portrait and developing layout, mounted on cardstock

Luxembourg August 1965 - 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Transitional Design Stage (Pick Unlisted)

Face-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced in August 1965 during the transitional phase between the initial design concept and the finalized layout later adopted for the issued series. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example documents the stage at which the new design direction had been established but not yet fully resolved. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Face)196520 FrancsPCGS 63 Apparent Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofFace Proof20 FrancsA000000Dual Serial FormatMounted on CardstockGrand Duke JeanTransitional portrait scaleOversized portraitDeveloping layoutNear-final typographyTransitional design stagePost-concept redesignPre-final layoutBanknote design developmentHistoryLuxembourg1965Pick UnlistedPCGS 63Choice NewMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg August 1965 20 Francs back photographic proof showing transitional reverse design with river valley and early refinement of final composition, mounted on cardstock

Luxembourg August 1965 - 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof Transitional Design Stage (Pick Unlisted)

Typography and denomination placement align closely with the final configuration, indicating that the reverse layout had progressed further toward completion than the obverse at this stage. The border framework and spatial organization show a high degree of stability, even as fine adjustments to visual balance were still being made. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Back)196520 FrancsPCGS 63 Apparent Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofBack Proof20 FrancsMounted on CardstockFinal reverse conceptPost-concept redesignRiver valley designWater control structureDeveloping compositionTransitional design stageReverse stabilized earlyPre-final refinementBanknote design developmentHistoryLuxembourg1965Pick UnlistedPCGS 63Choice NewMuseum Grade

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Luxembourg 24 November 1965 20 Francs face photographic proof serial A000000 showing finalized layout with correct proportions prior to final signature configuration, mounted on cardstock

Luxembourg 24 November 1965 - 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Final Layout Stage (Pick Unlisted)

The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal photographic proof formatting. The portrait of Grand Duke Jean is rendered in its final proportion and position, matching the geometry later adopted for the issued note. The earlier scaling issues observed in August proofs have been fully resolved, resulting in a balanced relationship between portrait, watermark field, typography, and ornamental framework. Read more →

LuxembourgPhotographic Proof (Face)196520 FrancsPCGS 64 Apparent Choice New (Mounted on Cardstock) Photographic ProofFace Proof20 FrancsA000000Dual Serial FormatMounted on CardstockHandwritten Date 24 November 1965Grand Duke JeanFinal portrait proportionsResolved layoutFinalized typographyBalanced compositionFinal layout stagePre-production validationPre-issuance configurationBanknote design developmentHistoryLuxembourg1965Pick UnlistedPCGS 64Choice NewMuseum Grade

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