Collection PL

Poland 1940 - 500 Zlotych, Series A with Counterfeit Numbering Issued Note (Pick 98a)

During the German occupation, forged 500 złotych notes were produced in Britain for the Polish resistance and introduced into occupied Poland as part of a diversionary operation. The counterfeit currency provided funds that could be used within the occupation economy while simultaneously undermining confidence in German-controlled money. Once the affected numbering was identified, Series A notes in the 12xxxxx and 13xxxxx ranges were ordered withdrawn regardless of whether individual examples were genuine or counterfeit. The measure removed authentic notes alongside the forgeries and explains the exceptional scarcity of genuine survivors carrying these serials. Read more →

Poland 1940 - 20 Zlotych, Series N WWII London Counterfeit (Pick 95b)

20 złotych dated 1 March 1940, issued under the Bank Emisyjny w Polsce during the German occupation, here from Series N - a rarer subtype known as the 'WWII London Counterfeit' (LC). This variety is recognized by its distinct olive-toned underprint, setting it apart from the more common genuine emissions. PMG has described this piece as a diversionary counterfeit, aligning it with the series of clandestine productions created to destabilize the wartime Polish economy. Read more →

Great Britain 1997 - Thomas De La Rue 100 Units Test Note Portal Watermark

A rare Thomas De La Rue test note, issued as a demonstration piece rather than circulating currency. Dated ND (1997), this 100 Units note was printed to showcase De La Rue’s advanced banknote security design, incorporating microtext, guilloche patterns, and the portal watermark. The obverse features a portrait of Thomas De La Rue with multicolor lathework and the company’s headquarters vignette. Test notes like this were produced for presentations, sales demonstrations, and security trials, not for public issue, and remain highly sought after by collectors. Read more →

Uruguay 1862 - Banco de Londres y Rio de la Plata 100 Pesos Remainder (Pick S245r)

Few notes capture the working side of 19th-century banknote production like this 1862 100 Pesos remainder. Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. for the Banco de Londres y Rio de la Plata but never signed or issued, it remains an untouched example of Uruguay’s first major British-engraved currency design. No cancellations, no serials-just the raw presswork as it left London more than 160 years ago. Read more →

Ireland - Northern 2005 - Northern Bank £50 Replacement Prefix YY (Pick 208)

Replacement notes such as this are among the rarest 2005 Northern Bank issues. The 'YY' prefix was reserved for internal control and used only when a regular production sheet was damaged or spoiled during printing. Fewer than a few thousand replacement £50s are estimated to have been released, making this an exceptional survivor of Northern Ireland’s most infamous banking episode. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 50 Pesos Perforated SIN VALOR Specimen with Specimen Number 000235 (Pick 38s)

Specimen of the 50 Pesos dated 22 January 1939 for the Departamento de Emision del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay, printed by Thomas De La Rue, London. This specimen carries the red ESPECIMEN overprint, the perforated cancellation reading 'SIN VALOR', and multiple circular punch holes applied by Thomas De La Rue as part of printer archive control. Serial 00000000, Series C. Watermark Jose Gervasio Artigas. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 50 Pesos Serie C Specimen, Specimen No. 9 (Pick 38bs)

Printed in London by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited, this Serie C, Specimen No. 9 example combines technical precision, national symbolism, and documented specimen control. Certified Paper Money Guaranty 65 Gem Uncirculated Exceptional Paper Quality, it preserves strong color, sharp engraving, clean paper, and balanced margins. It stands as an important surviving record of Uruguay's 1939 currency program and of the administrative methods used to prepare, number, and preserve official specimen notes. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 (1967 Authorization) - Banco Central del Uruguay 50 Pesos Serie D Specimen, Specimen No. 2 (Pick 42As)

The note occupies an important position in the institutional history of Uruguayan paper money. Its visual design originated with the issue authorized under the law of 2 January 1939, when note issuance remained associated with the Departamento de Emision of the Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Following the establishment of the Banco Central del Uruguay in 1967, the denomination continued through a new authorization while retaining the familiar artistic and technical structure developed for the earlier series. Read more →

Uruguay 1887 - Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 20 Centesimos Issued Note Serial A029393 (Pick A88a)

This 20 Centesimos note was issued by the Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay under the monetary framework established on 25 de Agosto de 1887, during a formative period in the consolidation of Uruguay’s national banking authority. Printed in London by Waterlow & Sons, it represents the earliest hand-signed emission phase of the type and corresponds to Pick A88a. Read more →

Uruguay 1887 - Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 20 Centesimos Issued Note Serial A053441 (Pick A88a)

This 20 Centesimos note was issued by the Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay under the monetary framework dated 25 de Agosto de 1887, during a period of structured national banking consolidation. Printed in London by Waterlow and Sons, it belongs to the hand-signed emission classified as Pick A88a and reflects the established production phase prior to mechanized signature adoption. Read more →

Uruguay 1887 - Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 20 Centesimos Issued Note Serial K078922 (Pick A88c)

This 20 Centesimos note was issued by the Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay under the monetary framework dated 25 de Agosto de 1887, during a phase of institutional consolidation and expanding note production. Printed in London by Waterlow and Sons, this example represents the mechanically signed emission classified as Pick A88c, marking a technical evolution within the same engraved design series. Read more →

Uruguay 1887 - Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 20 Centesimos Paysando Branch Overprint Serial J016899 (Pick A88c)

This 20 Centesimos note was issued by the Banco Nacional de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay under the monetary framework dated 25 de Agosto de 1887 and printed in London by Waterlow and Sons. The base note corresponds to the mechanically signed production phase classified as Pick A88c. It carries an additional red PAYSANDO branch overprint applied after initial issuance. Read more →