Collection

Mexico 1884 – Fábrica de Tunal 1 Peso (Pick Unlisted, ABNC)

Context — Porfiriato industrial finance (1876–1911): In the 1880s, Mexico’s northern mining belt (Durango–Zacatecas–Coahuila) expanded under Porfirio Díaz’s pro-investment policies. Private companies routinely paid workers and contractors with bearer notes redeemable in silver on demand. These instruments sat between payroll scrip and banknotes: fully engraved, serialed, and legally payable al portador en moneda de plata, but issued by corporations rather than chartered banks. ... Read more →

Argentina 1883 — Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires 2 Pesos Oro (Proof)

Superb proof engraving prepared by the American Bank Note Company for the Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, dated 19 de Enero de 1883. The design features an equestrian vignette at center symbolizing progress and vitality, flanked by portraits of Florencio Varela and Valentín Alsina, two influential figures in Argentina’s political and intellectual life. Printed directly from ABNC master plates in black ink on thin India paper and mounted on card stock, this piece confirms its pre-issue proof status. ... Read more →

Argentina 1867 — Banco de Londres y Río de la Plata 4 Reales Plata Boliviana (Proof)

Archival proof printed by the American Bank Note Company for the Banco de Londres y Río de la Plata, dated 1 Enero 1867 and assigned to the Rosario branch. This fractional 4 Reales denomination belongs to the transitional pre-peso period when Argentine provincial banks still operated under the 'Moneda Boliviana' standard inherited from regional trade with Bolivia and Peru. The design features a central bull’s head vignette framed by intricate ornamental borders — a unique choice among Argentine banknotes. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1867 — Banco Oriental 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado (Hand-Signed, Serial 55818)

Earliest known Banco Oriental 10 Pesos = 1 Doblón de Oro Sellado, dated 1 de Agosto de 1867 and printed by the American Bank Note Company, New York. This inaugural issue inaugurates Uruguay’s classic ABNC ‘Commerce and Arms’ design, later reused in the 1871 re-authorization. The left vignette shows two allegorical female figures representing Abundance and Commerce; the right side carries the national coat of arms above crossed flags and laurel wreaths. ... 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 →

Bolivia 1903 — Banco Agrícola 5 Bolivianos (Proof Pair)

Matched front and back printer’s proofs attributed to the American Bank Note Company, both graded PMG 63. These proofs were prepared as final design studies before mass production, allowing the printer and issuing bank to review alignment, color, and engraving detail prior to signature placement or numbering. The 5 Bolivianos design reflects Bolivia’s early 20th-century drive to modernize its financial infrastructure following the Federal Revolution of 1899. ... Read more →

Brazil 1963 — Tesouro Nacional 20 Cruzeiros (Front & Back Proof)

Superb archival proof of the 20 Cruzeiros note, produced by the American Bank Note Company for the Tesouro Nacional. Both obverse and reverse are mounted on a single presentation sheet, showcasing the portrait of Dom Pedro II at right and an allegorical vignette of reclining Industry on the reverse. The pair demonstrates the harmony of engraving and typographic composition typical of Brazil’s mid-century currency. ... Read more →

Brazil 1943 — 100 Cruzeiros (Back Proof, Pick 138p2, ABNC)

Back plate proof printed by the American Bank Note Company for the 100 Cruzeiros issue of 1943, executed on card with broad margins and strong embossing. The reverse design features an allegorical seated female figure holding a globe, symbolizing Brazil’s connection to global commerce and navigation—recurring motifs throughout mid-20th century ABNC engravings. Proofs like this one were pulled directly from steel plates to check engraving depth, line clarity, and inking quality before full production. ... Read more →

Brazil 1963 — Tesouro Nacional 10 Cruzeiros (Pick 167b, PMG 67 EPQ)

Issued 10 Cruzeiros note of 1963 from the Tesouro Nacional, catalogued as Pick 167b. Printed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), this issue features a portrait of Getúlio Vargas, Brazil’s president during two critical eras of the 20th century. The design incorporates intricate guilloche patterns, security lathework, and detailed borders typical of ABNC’s craftsmanship.<br><br>This example is certified by PMG as Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ, representing the highest quality tier for paper money. ... Read more →