Collection PL

Barbados 1943 — Government of Barbados 100 Dollars, Front and Back Archival Photograph

This item consists of a matched pair of archival photographic prints documenting the front and back designs of an unissued 100 Dollars banknote for Barbados, dated 1943 and produced under British colonial administration. The photographs record a complete banknote design that did not proceed to production or circulation and survive as internal visual documentation rather than monetary instruments. The front design carries the formal issuer heading Government of Barbados and presents a complete engraved layout including denomination panels, ornamental framing, and portraiture of King George the Sixth. ... Read more →

Portugal ND (1917) — Banco de Portugal 50 Mil Réis Specimen (Pick 110s)

Specimen of the Banco de Portugal 50 Mil Réis, the grandest denomination of the First Republic’s intricate 1916–1919 issue. Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., London, without serials or signatures and perforated SPECIMEN, it reveals the full design before numbering and underprint were applied. PMG 35 Choice Very Fine. ... Read more →

United States 1914 – 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note – Philadelphia District (Fr.1035, White | Mellon, PMG 30 EPQ)

The Series of 1914 was the inaugural issue of Federal Reserve Notes following the creation of the Federal Reserve System in December 1913. For the first time, the United States possessed a unified national currency directly issued through the newly organized regional Reserve Banks. The Philadelphia District, designated by the letter C and the numeral 3, served as one of the twelve original Reserve Bank branches, linking the new central banking structure to the industrial and commercial heart of the Mid-Atlantic region. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 — 1000 Francs Specimen Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52bs)

Specimen of the 1982 one thousand francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the highest denomination prepared within this short-lived contingency series featuring Grand Duchess Charlotte. As the apex denomination, the 1000 Francs defines the full technical and visual ambition of the issue, combining the most complex engraving, the highest value tier, and the most advanced security layout of the set. This example carries serial number A000000 094, presented in the standard specimen format with dual serial placement at left and right. ... Read more →

Ireland — Northern 2004 — Northern Bank £50 Specimen (Pick Unlisted NR126)

Specimen of the 2004 Northern Bank £50, printed by De La Rue for Northern Bank Limited, Belfast. This pre-issue design was the last note prepared before the bank’s December 2004 robbery, the largest cash theft in UK history. The note carries the red SPECIMEN overprint and the oval NO VALUE control stamps, serial DA000000 001, and watermark of Sir Samuel C. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1975 — 100 Dollars (Pick 168bs, R.L. Knight Signature, TDLR Overprint Specimen, Serial G000000004, Specimen No. 004, PMG 62 Uncirculated)

The 1975 one hundred dollars specimen represents the highest denomination of New Zealand’s decimal currency series during the tenure of R.L. Knight as Chief Cashier, issued within the ND (1975–1977) period. Knight’s signature defines the third phase of the decimal era, following the Fleming and Wilks periods, and reflects a stage in which the system had transitioned from initial introduction into a fully established national currency structure. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1975 — 100 Dollars (Pick 168bs, R.L. Knight Signature, Perforated SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE, Serial G000000000, PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated)

The 1975 one hundred dollars perforated specimen represents the highest denomination of New Zealand’s decimal currency during the tenure of R.L. Knight as Chief Cashier, issued within the ND (1975–1977) period. Knight’s signature defines the third phase of the decimal era, following the Fleming and Wilks periods, and reflects a stage in which the currency system had reached structural maturity. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1981 — 100 Dollars (Pick 175a, H.R. Hardie Signature, Serial YAA173980, PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine)

The 1981 one hundred dollars note represents the reintroduction and continuation of New Zealand’s highest denomination within the revised decimal currency series, issued during the ND (1981–1985) period under the signature of H.R. Hardie as Chief Cashier. This issue belongs to the later Hardie design phase, distinguished by the updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, presenting a more mature likeness compared to the earlier ND (1977–1981) series bearing the same signatory. ... Read more →

United States 1996 — 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District (Friedberg 2175-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

This 1996 100 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2175-G, AGB Block) presents one of the most striking examples of an Insufficient Inking Error recorded on a modern U.S. high-denomination note. The entire reverse is drastically under-inked: the normally bold depiction of Independence Hall appears as a pale, incomplete impression, with architectural outlines faintly visible but lacking depth and saturation. ... Read more →

United States 1996 — 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, Chicago District (Friedberg 2126-G) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated

This 1996 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Chicago District (Friedberg 2126-G, AGB Block) demonstrates a dramatic Insufficient Inking Error affecting the left side of the obverse. The portrait of Ulysses S. Grant remains fully defined, yet the surrounding text, borders, and background show substantial ink loss, fading into near blankness. ... Read more →

United States 1993 — 20 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, New York District (Friedberg 2079-B) Insufficient Inking Error, PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated

This 1993 20 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the New York District (Friedberg 2079-B, BD Block) is a superbly preserved example of an Insufficient Inking Error that drastically weakens the reverse printing. The normally dark green depiction of the White House appears faint and washed out, with many architectural and background details missing. Only fragments of the design—such as the central columns, the inscription 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and the denomination numerals—remain clearly visible. ... Read more →

Egypt 1910 — Riches & Mawas, Cairo–Alexandria–Tanta Commercial Draft for 1600 Piastres

Original 1910 commercial draft issued by Riches & Mawas, a prominent British–Levantine trading firm operating across Cairo, Alexandria and Tanta. The draft is printed on cream-toned security paper with a vertical deep-blue engraved ornamental panel at right. This panel features an elaborate baroque frame surrounding the intertwined R & M monogram, with the company’s three branch cities CAIRE, ALEXANDRIE, TANTA printed around the oval. ... Read more →