Collection

U.S. 1914 — $50 Federal Reserve Note Philadelphia (Fr#1035, White | Mellon)

The Series of 1914 marked the first issue of Federal Reserve Notes following the establishment of the Federal Reserve System in 1913. This $50 example, issued by the Philadelphia District (3-C), carries the signatures of Treasury officials White and Mellon and features Ulysses S. Grant at center. ... Read more →

Italy 1871 — Standing Italia Vignette Die Proof (PS976)

Engraved vignette die proof of 'Standing Italia,' later integrated into the 250 Lire specimen of the Banca Italo-Germanica (1871–72, PS976). The allegory, modeled on classical prototypes, depicts Italia standing with shield and spear, emblematic of the country’s newly achieved unification and Rome’s designation as capital in 1871. Pulled directly from the master plate by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., this die proof captures the engraving in its purest state—sharp, uninked margins, and untouched by printing wear. ... Read more →

Paraguay 1907 — Banco de la República 100 Pesos (Pick 159, Issued)

Issued 100 Pesos note of the Banco de la República, catalogued as Pick 159 and printed by Waterlow & Sons, London. It shows the full design as originally released in 1907, featuring the central building vignette, elaborate guilloche, and watermark '100'. This is the parent design upon which the later 1912 fiscal overprints were imposed, making it the foundation type for both specimen and provisional issues. ... Read more →

Italy ND (1868) — Banco di Napoli Fede di Credito 50–200 Lire (Specimen)

Specimen Fede di Credito from the Banco di Napoli, engraved by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. during the early years of the unified Kingdom of Italy. The Banco di Napoli traced its roots back to charitable institutions founded in 1539, making it one of Europe’s oldest surviving banks. ... Read more →

Italy 1869 — Credito Agricolo di Bologna 30 Lire (Specimen)

Specimen of the 30 Lire issue from the Credito Agricolo di Bologna, produced by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. during the consolidation years of Italian unification. The denomination itself—30 Lire—is highly unusual and appears linked to agricultural credit schemes and rural cooperative lending. ... Read more →

Italy 1866 — Credito Fondiario di Bologna 50 Lire (Specimen)

Specimen proof of the 50 Lire issue from the Credito Fondiario di Bologna, engraved by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. and dated 1866. Credito Fondiario institutions specialized in long-term, mortgage-backed lending—a key innovation in Italy’s financial system, providing stability and funding for agricultural and urban development at a time when the new Kingdom was still economically fragmented. ... Read more →

Australia ca.1939 — Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney £5 Travellers Cheque (Photographic Proof)

Photographic proof of a £5 Travellers Cheque prepared for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney around 1939, mounted on cardstock and annotated at upper margin for archival use. This early pre-war layout marks one of the first generations of CBC traveller’s cheques, preceding the coloured issues of the 1960s. Produced during the late interwar period when secure portable payment instruments were vital for travel within the British Empire, this proof reflects the evolution of Australian financial printing in collaboration with Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London. ... Read more →

Australia ca.1963 — Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney £5 Travellers Cheque (Photographic Proof)

Photographic proof of a £5 Travellers Cheque for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, mounted on cardstock and dated '9/3/63' in pencil at the lower margin. Produced circa 1963 as part of the bank’s internal approval and recordkeeping process for its international traveller’s cheque program. In the mid-20th century, before widespread credit card adoption, traveller’s cheques were the safest form of portable currency for customers abroad. ... Read more →

Australia ca.1963 — Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney £5 Travellers Cheque (Specimen)

Specimen traveller’s cheque for £5 issued by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Limited. Printed in blue and green with the same allegorical vignette of a child with fleece used across the series, embodying the themes of trust, productivity, and growth. The CBC of Sydney was a cornerstone of Australian finance, founded in 1834 and later merging into the National Australia Bank. ... Read more →

Australia ca.1963 — Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney £2 Travellers Cheque (Specimen)

Specimen traveller’s cheque for £2 issued by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Limited. Printed in green with an allegorical vignette depicting a child with fleece, symbolizing prosperity, trade, and trust — central ideals in Australian colonial iconography. Traveller’s cheques were part of a major postwar shift in how Australians accessed funds overseas. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 2018 — Monetary Authority $1 (Pick Unlisted, later Pick 38, Prefix D/6)

Issued one-dollar note from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, dated 2018 and printed by Thomas De La Rue (TDLR). This early printing of the 2018 series originally appeared as an unlisted variety before it was catalogued under Pick 38 in later references. It carries serial number prefix D/6 and features the same design as subsequent printings — Queen Elizabeth II at right, reef fish vignette at lower left, and the national coat of arms at upper center. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 2018 — Monetary Authority $1 (Pick 38g, Prefix D/7)

Issued one-dollar note from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, dated 2018 and catalogued as Pick 38g. Printed by Thomas De La Rue (TDLR), this note forms part of the 2018 definitive series depicting Queen Elizabeth II on the front and a lively reef fish scene on the back. The design reflects the Cayman Islands’ maritime environment and national identity, integrating strong color contrasts and detailed line engraving. ... Read more →