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 →

El Salvador 1997 — 25 Colones Issued Note (Pick 149a)

First circulation issue of the 'Pirámide de San Andrés' 25 Colones design, dated 10 de Abril de 1997, printed by De La Rue for El Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador. This note inaugurated El Salvador’s final banknote generation prior to dollarization (2001), combining modern color engraving with refined microsecurity. The face shows the archaeological pyramid and national emblem, while the reverse features agricultural motifs referencing national productivity and export economy. ... Read more →

El Salvador 1999 — 25 Colones Issued Note (Pick 155)

Final circulating issue of El Salvador’s 25 Colones, dated 1999, marking the end of the national currency before dollarization in 2001. Printed by De La Rue on enhanced security paper featuring an embedded metallic thread, latent image devices, and complex guilloché. The design continues the 'Pirámide de San Andrés' motif with subtle updates: a deeper lower border hue, refined microtext, and newly engraved official signatures. ... Read more →

El Salvador 1999 — 25 Colones Specimen (Pick 155s)

Specimen note of the 1999 25 Colones issue, catalogued as Pick 155s. Printed by De La Rue with diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint, perforation cancels, and control stamps. This specimen represents the terminal proof stage of the 25 Colones before the introduction of the U.S. ... 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 Maenad EA0000000 No. 006 (Pick 19s)

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 EA5464675 Maened (Pick 19a)

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 Golden Death Mask GA0000000 No. 006 (Pick 17s)

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 Note GB2531560 Golden Death Mask (Pick 17a)

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 →

North Macedonia 2003 - 500 Denari Issued Note DA8148021 Golden Death Mask (Pick 21a)

The 500 Denari banknote dated January 2003 represents a continuation printing of the denomination within the banknote program of the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia. While maintaining the established design introduced in the 1996 series, the 2003 issue reflects a later production batch prepared by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, preserving the same national imagery while refining color balance and background guilloche structures. At the center of the design remains the Golden Mask motif derived from the funerary mask discovered at the archaeological site of Trebeništa near Ohrid, dating to the 6th century BCE. ... Read more →

United States 1996 — 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note Chicago District Insufficient Inking Error (Friedberg 2175-G)

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 →