Collection PL

Argentina 1881 - Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires 2 Pesos Oro Proof (Pick S536fp)

The ABNC proof aesthetic is immediately recognizable: deep intaglio linework; elegant guilloché borders; idealized allegorical portraits; and sharply modeled central vignettes. The equestrian scene symbolizes movement, energy, and Argentina’s frontier identity, while the portraits of Varela and Alsina highlight the political leadership that shaped Buenos Aires’s institutional development. These design choices were calculated to project stability, legitimacy, and modernity to a public still shaken by recurring bank crises and provincial–national political conflict. Read more →

Poland 1940 - 10 Zlotych Printing Remnants Forgery Workshop Underprint (Miłczak 94)

Fascinating semi-finished product from a wartime forgery workshop, connected with the 10 złotych 1940 issue (Miłczak 94). The piece is printed only with the underprint of the obverse design - background guilloches and the female allegorical portrait at left - without the main face value, overprints, or full intaglio elements. Trimmed to the correct banknote format, it represents an intermediate stage in the counterfeiting process. Read more →

United States 1929 – American Bank Note Company Test Note, 10 Units, Green Series of 1929 With Watermark and Segmented Foil Security Thread

The layout follows classic ABNCo symmetry: a central allegorical portrait of Liberty, derived from earlier U.S. and Latin American banknote masters, framed by intricate guilloche borders and flanked by denomination counters reading '10.' The surrounding frame bears the inscriptions 'American Bank Note Company' and 'Specimen Note,' while the lower border substitutes the standard signatures with engraved placeholders labeled 'Treasurer' and 'President.' Read more →

Uruguay 1935 - Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1,000 Pesos Large-Format Presentation Photo Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

The obverse features José Gervasio Artigas rendered in authoritative profile within a richly engraved architectural frame, accompanied by the full denomination inscription and institutional title of the issuing authority. The photographic medium preserves the full depth of engraving prior to ink application, revealing plate geometry, line convergence, and vignette transitions with exceptional clarity. The reverse presents the monumental equestrian motif of Artigas, framed by classical columns and flanked by allegorical portrait medallions, conveying national identity, authority, and continuity at a scale rarely encountered outside archival contexts. Read more →

Luxembourg 1956 Banque Internationale à Luxembourg 100 Francs Face Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted)

The composition centers on a classical female allegorical portrait enclosed within a laurel-framed oval, surrounded by finely engraved guilloche structures and flanked by symbolic figures representing labor, production, and national economic strength. The line work is fully resolved, with controlled tonal modeling and balanced ornamental density, confirming that this is not a preliminary concept study but an advanced production-stage photographic proof. Read more →

Luxembourg 1956 Banque Internationale a Luxembourg 100 Francs Issued Note (Pick 13a)

The obverse presents a fully resolved engraved composition centered on a classical female allegorical portrait enclosed within a laurel-framed oval. The surrounding field is constructed from dense, multi-layered guilloche patterns, creating both security complexity and visual depth. Flanking the central portrait are symbolic figures representing labor, production, and national economic strength, integrated into the composition with balanced symmetry and controlled line weight. Read more →

Paraguay 1907 - Banco de la República 5 Pesos Issued Note (Pick 156)

The design is one of Waterlow & Sons’ most attractive small-denomination Paraguayan productions. The face features a central allegorical female portrait beneath the large Banco de la República title, flanked by ornate 5 Pesos denomination panels and framed by dense black intaglio ornament. Pale blue underprinting spreads across the lower half of the note, giving depth to the security design and separating the red serial number from the engraved black border. The Serie A designation, formal promise-to-pay wording, and engraved signatures reinforce the institutional character of the original issue. Read more →