Collection PL

New Zealand ND (1924-1933) - Bank of New South Wales Ten Shillings Proof, Perforated SPECIMEN (Pick S161s)

Printers archival proof for the Bank of New South Wales Ten Shillings, classified in the Standard Catalog and grading records as New Zealand Pick S161s (ND 1924-1933) and produced in London by Charles Skipper and East. This piece was never intended for circulation. It was created as part of the printers internal proofing, approval, and archival process and survives as a workshop original documenting the final approved design for a denomination that ultimately never entered public issue. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1924–1925 — Bank of New Zealand 10 Shillings Front Proof with SPECIMEN Perforation (Pick S231p1)

Front proof of the Bank of New Zealand 10 Shillings (Pick S231p1), printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., London, for the post-war re-engraved issue dated 1924–25. Perforated SPECIMEN through the lower margin and certified by PMG as Choice Uncirculated 63 Top Pop, this example shows the completed obverse design prior to overprinting and serial application. The note features a finely engraved portrait of the Māori rangatira Tamati Waka Nene (1780–1871), leader of Ngāpuhi and an early ally of British settlement—one of the first indigenous statesmen ever depicted on a Commonwealth banknote. ... Read more →

Argentina 1867 — Banco de Londres y Rio de la Plata 4 Reales Plata Boliviana Proof (Pick S1734p)

Archival proof printed by the American Bank Note Company for the Banco de Londres y Rio 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 →

Ireland 1920 — Ulster Bank Ltd. £1 Proof

Archival proof for Ulster Bank Ltd., dated 1920. Printed by Waterlow & Sons, London, the note displays finely executed allegories and maritime motifs, reflecting both classical design and national symbolism in the early 20th century. The Waterlow imprint remains visible in the margin, a hallmark of genuine proofs. ... 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 →

Luxembourg 20 March 1970 — 100 Francs Face Photographic Proof Grand Duke Jean (Pick Unlisted)

Face-side photographic proof of the 1970 one hundred francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced as part of the final design validation process prior to full printing. This example presents the complete obverse layout in monochrome, mounted on archival cardstock, and retains full design clarity without color application. The note displays serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with specimen-format numbering used for internal production and review material. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 24 February 1970 — 100 Francs Back Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Back-side photographic proof of the 1970 one hundred francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced during the final design validation stage prior to full printing. The image is presented in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, preserving the complete reverse composition without color separation. A handwritten production annotation dated 24 February 1970 is visible along the lower margin, providing a direct reference to the internal review timeline. ... Read more →

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 →

New Zealand 1934 — Reserve Bank of New Zealand 10 Shillings Photographic Face Proof (Pick 154p)

This photographic face proof preserves the engraved design prepared for the first 10 Shillings banknote issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand following the creation of the central bank under the Reserve Bank Act of 1933. The proof represents the pre-press stage of the denomination, recording the completed engraving before the design was transferred to printing plates for circulation production. The note belongs to the inaugural Reserve Bank series commonly known as the "Lefeaux series", named for Leslie Lefeaux, the institution’s first Governor. ... Read more →

New South Wales 1865 — Embossed 'ONE HALF PERCENT' Stamp Duty Fiscal Proof Specimen

This archival embossed proof was prepared for the Treasury of the Colony of New South Wales in 1865 as part of the design approval process for official stamp duty revenue paper. The piece displays the crowned colonial arms surrounded by a laurel wreath with the inscription 'ONE HALF PERCENT', executed in colourless embossing and framed by printer’s blue layout guide lines with a printed 'Specimen' designation. Unlike adhesive revenue stamps, this form of fiscal authentication was produced as embossed security paper intended to validate legal and financial documents. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1939 — Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1,000 Pesos Large-Format Presentation Photo Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

This exceptionally large-format photographic presentation proof pair for the 1,000 Pesos issue dated 1939 represents the apex of archival proof material prepared for the Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Produced by the American Bank Note Company, this pair documents the finalized design of Uruguay’s highest denomination in its fully resolved form, preserved outside the currency production workflow. Printed on heavyweight photographic paper and mounted on archival cardstock, this presentation format was intended for institutional reference rather than technical testing. ... 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)

This exceptionally large-format photographic proof pair for the 1,000 Pesos issue dated 1935 represents one of the most imposing archival presentation formats produced for the Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Unlike standard-sized photographic proofs intended primarily for internal plate approval, this example was mounted on an oversized presentation card measuring approximately thirty-three by thirty-three centimeters, dwarfing both the standard note format and later proof mountings. The face and back photographic proofs themselves measure approximately twenty-three by twelve centimeters, reflecting a distinct enlargement relative to the issued banknote format. ... Read more →