Collection

Italy 1871–72 — Banca Italo-Germanica 250 Lire (Specimen)

Oversized specimen of the short-lived Banca Italo-Germanica, engraved in the immediate aftermath of Italian unification. Founded in Rome with German capital, the bank intended to position itself as a bridge between northern European finance and the new Kingdom of Italy. In practice, its note-issuing project never advanced beyond archival and presentation pulls—no issued examples are known. ... Read more →

Argentina 1871 — Banco de Londres y Río de la Plata 10 Pesos (Rosario, Specimen #000001)

Specimen of the Banco de Londres y Río de la Plata, dated 10 de Noviembre de 1871, issued for the Rosario branch. Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., London, in green ink with intricate guilloche and portrait of General José de San Martín. The note represents the British-owned Banco de Londres’ earliest Rosario issue, bridging Argentina’s Boliviana and Fuertes monetary systems. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1871 — Banco Oriental 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado (Dual Hand Signature, Serial 23286)

First re-issue of Banco Oriental’s 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado dated 1 de Agosto de 1867 (but authorized under the 1871 charter). Printed by ABNC using the original 1867 plates. Two handwritten signatures in black ink mark the final phase of manual authorization before engraved facsimiles were introduced. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1871 — Banco Oriental 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado (Transitional Hand Signature, Serial 35345)

Intermediate form of Banco Oriental’s Doblón series, dated 1 de Agosto de 1867 and printed by ABNC in 1871. Serial 35345 carries a single hand-written signature in the same style later engraved for the facsimile printings. Serves as the bridge between dual manual and mechanical authorization phases. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1871 — Banco Oriental 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado (Facsimile Signature, Serial 76048)

Standardized and final Banco Oriental 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado printing, dated 1 de Agosto de 1867 but executed around 1871 by ABNC in New York. Introduces the engraved facsimile signature that replaced manual signing, ensuring uniformity and production efficiency. Design identical to earlier re-issues: allegorical Commerce and national arms flanking the orange intaglio medallion. ... 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 →

Italy 1871 — Germania with Shield and Spear, Vignette Die Proof (Used for 500 Lire, PS977)

Engraved vignette die proof titled 'Germania with Shield and Spear,' executed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., London, for the Banca Italo-Germanica circa 1871. The intaglio engraving portrays the female personification of Germany—Germania—standing armed with shield and spear, crowned with laurel, and rendered in the romantic classical style characteristic of early Bradbury Wilkinson export work. The surrounding cartouche bears the inscription 'BANCA ITALO-GERMANICA' and the denomination 500, indicating its later integration into the 500 Lire proof (PS977). ... Read more →