Collection PL

New Zealand 1981 - 1 Dollar H.R. Hardie Signature Issued Note Serial AAA000662 (Pick 169a)

Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, this issue marks a transition in production away from the earlier Thomas De La Rue printings. The engraving reflects the refined late-period banknote style, with intricate guilloche patterns and balanced color layering characteristic of Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company’s output during the early 1980s. Read more →

New Zealand 1981 - 1 Dollar H.R. Hardie Signature Printer’s Annotation Specimen Star Serial AA000000* (Pick 169as)

A defining feature of this piece is the presence of handwritten printer’s annotation reading 'not approved' across the obverse, directly indicating its rejection or exclusion from final production approval. This annotation provides rare insight into internal quality control processes at Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, capturing a moment within the decision chain of banknote authorization. Read more →

Luxembourg Undated - 100 Francs Back Photographic Proof, Composition Study (Pick Unlisted)

Back-side photographic proof for the one hundred francs design of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, preserved as an archival working piece mounted on cardstock. This example represents an early composition study within the development of the Grand Duke Jean series, prior to final engraving and production alignment. Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Issued Note (Pick 54a)

Within the broader Luxembourg sequence, the 1966 twenty francs serves as the operational foundation from which later developments evolved. The structural clarity, portrait treatment, and engraving discipline established here carried directly into the 1970 series and ultimately informed the unissued 1982 emergency designs. It stands as the functional counterpart to those archival and experimental pieces, demonstrating how the system performed under real circulation conditions. Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Specimen (Pick 54s)

The obverse presents Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, engraved in precise intaglio with finely controlled line density and consistent ink distribution. The portrait is set within a complex guilloche structure designed to maintain both visual authority and mechanical clarity, reflecting the balance between national identity and functional currency requirements during the period. The multitone background and watermark field are fully developed, matching the issued format in all structural aspects. Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Color Trial Specimen (Pick 54cts)

Of particular interest, the color palette bears a striking resemblance to the unissued Luxembourg twenty francs emergency series prepared in 1982. The violet-dominant engraving and pastel blue, yellow and pink guilloche work of the later Bradbury Wilkinson specimen closely echo the visual direction represented by this 1966 color trial. Produced sixteen years apart as part of separate banknote programs, the two pieces preserve a notable visual connection between the experimental 1966 palette and the later 1982 emergency issue. Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 - 20 Francs Specimen Unissued Series (Pick 54As)

Specimen of the unissued 1982 twenty francs series of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company as part of a fully prepared emergency banknote program. This example, serial A000000 099, represents a complete and finalized design held at the specimen stage, with no corresponding issued notes known for the type. Read more →

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 - 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Early Design Concept (Pick Unlisted)

Within the broader Luxembourg collection, this piece represents the earliest recorded stage of the 1965–1970 design evolution. When viewed alongside the later August and November photographic proofs, it provides direct evidence of the transition from conceptual artwork to finalized banknote architecture. Read more →

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 - 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof Early Design Concept (Pick Unlisted)

The central vignette presents a river landscape with a cargo vessel in the foreground and a row of tall trees lining the bank, extending toward a simplified rural horizon. This composition reflects a more illustrative and less mechanically structured approach compared to the later adopted design. The spatial construction is relatively open, with broader tonal areas and reduced density of fine-line security elements. Read more →

Luxembourg August 1965 - 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Transitional Design Stage (Pick Unlisted)

Within the broader Luxembourg collection, this piece represents the intermediate phase of the 1965 design evolution. Positioned between the July concept proofs and the November finalized layout proofs, it documents the transformation from exploratory design to controlled banknote architecture. Read more →

Luxembourg August 1965 - 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof Transitional Design Stage (Pick Unlisted)

Typography and denomination placement align closely with the final configuration, indicating that the reverse layout had progressed further toward completion than the obverse at this stage. The border framework and spatial organization show a high degree of stability, even as fine adjustments to visual balance were still being made. Read more →

Luxembourg 24 November 1965 - 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof Final Layout Stage (Pick Unlisted)

This proof represents the culmination of the design evolution documented by the July and August photographic proofs. The earlier conceptual and transitional stages have been fully resolved, resulting in the precise, mechanically structured layout characteristic of the issued series. Read more →