Collection PL

El Salvador 1996 — 25 Colones Face Die Proof (Pick 149p)

Large-format face die proof prepared by De La Rue in 1996 for the forthcoming 25 Colones issue later released 1997–1999 (SCWPM Pick 149 and subsequent variant Pick 155). The engraving depicts the Pirámide de San Andrés archaeological complex—an emblem of national heritage—rendered in tight intaglio with wide proof margins and a blank reverse. Functionally, die proofs are the printer’s finalized master impressions taken directly from the face die to verify line integrity, color separation, and registration before plate duplication and production. ... Read more →

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

This photographic transparency records the engraved Maenad vignette prepared during the design development of the Republic of Macedonia’s inaugural 5000 Denari banknote. Created within the pre-press workflow of Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, the transparency preserves the original engraved image before the design progressed into plate production and full banknote printing. In modern security printing, photographic transparencies were produced after the engraver completed the steel die but before the design was transferred to printing plates. ... Read more →

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

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. The note preserves the full design of the circulating denomination while being permanently invalidated through De La Rue’s specimen control procedures. ... Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 — 5000 Denari Issued Note (Pick 19a) EA5464675 Maenad

The 5000 Denari note issued in 1996 forms part of the first complete banknote series of the Republic of Macedonia following independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Introduced by the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia as part of the country’s early monetary stabilization program, the series marked the establishment of a distinct national currency identity separate from the Yugoslav dinar system. Production of the notes was contracted to Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited in London, one of the world’s leading security printers, whose technical standards shaped the visual and structural character of the entire issue. ... Read more →

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

This engraved vignette die proof preserves the Golden Mask motif prepared for the 500 Denari denomination of the Republic of Macedonia’s first post-independence banknote series issued in 1996. Produced by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, the proof represents one of the earliest physical stages in the creation of the banknote’s final design. A vignette die proof is printed directly from the engraved steel die before the image is transferred to the working plates used for banknote production. ... Read more →

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

This official De La Rue printer specimen records the finalized design of the 500 Denari denomination from the Republic of Macedonia’s inaugural post-independence banknote series issued in 1996. Prepared for internal verification and institutional reference, the specimen preserves the complete production artwork while being permanently invalidated for monetary use. The note displays the full set of Thomas De La Rue & Company specimen control devices. ... Read more →

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

The 500 Denari banknote issued in 1996 forms part of the first modern currency series of the Republic of Macedonia following independence in 1991. Introduced by the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia as part of the country’s early monetary stabilization program, the series established the visual identity and security standards of the newly independent state’s paper currency. Production was entrusted to Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, whose security printing expertise shaped both the artistic and technical structure of the notes. ... Read more →

United States 1996 — 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District (Friedberg 2175-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

This 1996 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2175-G, AGB Block) presents one of the most striking examples of an Insufficient Inking Error recorded on a modern U.S. high-denomination note. The entire reverse is drastically under-inked: the normally bold depiction of Independence Hall appears as a pale, incomplete impression, with architectural outlines faintly visible but lacking depth and saturation. ... Read more →

United States 1996 — 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District (Friedberg 2126-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

This 1996 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2126-G, AGB Block) demonstrates a dramatic Insufficient Inking Error affecting the left side of the obverse. The portrait of Ulysses S. Grant remains fully defined, yet the surrounding text, borders, and background show substantial ink loss, fading into near blankness. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 1996 — Cayman Islands Currency Board 5 Dollars Specimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp (Pick 17s)

This 1996 five dollars specimen of the Cayman Islands Currency Board belongs to the revised series issued under the Cayman Islands Currency Law (Revised) and printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited. Unlike the earlier 1974 phase, this series reflects the modernized design language of the late twentieth century while retaining the institutional discipline characteristic of the Currency Board system. The specimen format is defined by a layered invalidation protocol. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 1996 — Cayman Islands Currency Board 25 Dollars Specimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp (Pick 19s)

This twenty five dollars specimen of the Cayman Islands Currency Board belongs to the 1996 revised series issued under the Cayman Islands Currency Law (Revised) and printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited as controlled reference material. It preserves the fully authorized production design while being permanently invalidated for non-monetary use through established printer control measures. The specimen format is defined by a bold red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint across the face, accompanied by two red oval control stamps reading “SPECIMEN / DE LA RUE & CO LTD / NO VALUE.” A single punch cancellation is present in the signature area, physically voiding the note while leaving the engraved composition entirely legible. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 1996 — Cayman Islands Currency Board 100 Dollars Issued Note (Pick 20, B/1 251767)

This one hundred dollars issued note belongs to the 1996 revised series of the Cayman Islands Currency Board, authorized under the Cayman Islands Currency Law (Revised) and produced by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited. The 1996 revision represents a matured phase of Cayman’s modern currency program, retaining the formal Currency Board structure while introducing a refreshed engraving palette and expanded marine iconography. The obverse is dominated by the engraved portrait of Queen Elizabeth the Second at right, rendered in fine intaglio linework that concentrates both authority and technical complexity in a single visual anchor. ... Read more →