Collection PL

Martinique 1870 — Banque de la Martinique 1 Franc Cheque Recovered After the 1902 Mount Pelée Eruption (Pick P.5A)

A Banque de la Martinique one franc cheque form, Pick P.5A, originally printed for use at Saint-Pierre during the late nineteenth century and later recovered from the ruins of the city following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Pelée on 8 May 1902. Although printed decades earlier as part of the bank’s standardized cheque issue, this surviving example was never negotiated as a financial instrument and instead entered history as a disaster-recovery relic, explicitly identified as such by contemporary handwritten annotations. The printed face follows the established Banque de la Martinique cheque format, bearing the heading “Chèque sur la Banque de la Martinique,” internal control marking “B.P.F. ... Read more →

Cayman Islands 1974 — Cayman Islands Currency Board 5 Dollars Specimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE' (Pick 6s, 467/1–A1)

This five dollar Cayman Islands Currency Board specimen represents a terminal archival control state within the 1974 series prepared under the Cayman Islands Currency Law of 1974. It preserves the full engraved design of the denomination while permanently removing any possibility of monetary use through a large dot-matrix perforation reading “SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE” across the face. This perforated format belongs to a different control philosophy than red-overprint presentation specimens. ... Read more →

Luxembourg July 3 1966 — 10 Francs Face Photographic Proof Final Layout Stage (Pick 53)

Face-side photographic proof of the ten francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated July 3, 1966 as indicated on the grading holder, representing the finalized obverse layout prior to production. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example preserves the design at the stage where all structural and compositional decisions had been completed. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal photographic proof conventions. ... Read more →

Luxembourg July 3 1966 — 10 Francs Back Photographic Proof Final Layout Stage (Pick 53)

Back-side photographic proof of the ten francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated July 3, 1966 as indicated on the grading holder, representing the finalized reverse layout prior to production. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example preserves the reverse composition at the stage where all structural and visual elements had been fully resolved. The central vignette presents a fully developed architectural and landscape composition, integrating bridge structures, urban elements, and natural surroundings within a controlled and balanced framework. ... Read more →

Luxembourg March 20 1971 — 50 Francs Signature A, Face Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Face-side photographic proof of the fifty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated March 20, 1971 as indicated on the grading holder, representing the finalized obverse layout prior to production. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example preserves the design at the stage where all structural and compositional elements had been resolved. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal photographic proof conventions. ... Read more →

Luxembourg March 20 1971 — 50 Francs Signature A, Back Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Back-side photographic proof of the fifty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated March 20, 1971 as indicated on the grading holder, representing the finalized reverse layout prior to production. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example preserves the reverse composition at the stage where all structural and visual elements had been resolved. The central vignette depicts an industrial scene featuring heavy manufacturing activity, with workers and machinery integrated into a dynamic composition. ... Read more →