Collection PL

New Zealand 1907–1926 — Bank of New Zealand £20 Blue Serial-Prefix Audit Specimen (Pick S194s)

A unique high-denomination Bradbury Wilkinson audit-range specimen and the rarest surviving document from New Zealand’s private-banknote era, the £20 Blue (Pick S194s) represents the apex of BNZ’s color-coded denomination hierarchy. This specimen is not a generic zero-serial example: it carries dual live serials (No. 061001 and No. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1896 — Bank of Australasia £50 Christchurch Proof (Pick Unlisted)

This proof represents a pre issue banknote of the Bank of Australasia, denominated Fifty Pounds and prepared for the Christchurch office during the late nineteenth century expansion of British chartered banking in New Zealand. It was produced as part of the institution internal design approval and presentation process and was never intended for public circulation. The Bank of Australasia, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1835, operated as one of the dominant British joint stock banks across Australia and New Zealand. ... Read more →

Poland 1936 — 50 Zlotych Jan Henryk Dąbrowski (Pick 78a, Miłczak 77a–b)

The 50 Zlotych note dated 11 November 1936 with the portrait of General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski represents the highest artistic and symbolic achievement of Polish interwar banknote design. Conceived as the flagship denomination of a fully modernized Bank Polski series, it was intended to embody state continuity, national identity, and technical excellence at a moment when the Second Polish Republic had reached institutional maturity. The choice of date was deliberate. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1895–1915 — Bank of New Zealand 5 Pounds Orange Specimen (Pick S192s)

The high-denomination anchor of the Bank of New Zealand color series, this five pounds orange specimen (Pick S192s) represents one of the most structurally complex and production-informative notes of New Zealand’s private banking era. Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, London, it embodies the transition from richly ornamental Victorian engraving toward the more controlled and symmetrical Edwardian framework that followed. The composition preserves the defining elements of the earlier series—paired Māori figures within oval medallions at left, a lower maritime vignette reflecting colonial trade identity, and a dense guilloche lattice enclosing the denomination—while introducing a more disciplined spatial hierarchy across the central obligation panel. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1905–1916 — Bank of New Zealand £1 Red Cancelled Specimen with Serial Number Prefix G000001–G100000 (Pick S212bs)

An archival £1 Red specimen from the Bank of New Zealand private-issue series, catalogued as Pick S212bs and drawn from the opening serial block G000001–G100000. This example was pulled directly from the working plates of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London, as an approval and control specimen for internal printer and bank-director reference during the closing phase of BNZ private note production. The presence of live production serial numbers with the letter prefix G clearly distinguishes this class from unnumbered file specimens. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 — 1000 Francs Proof Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52bp)

Plate proof of the 1982 one thousand francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the earliest finalized stage of the design before specimen marking, color testing, or production handling. As the highest denomination of the series, this proof captures the complete engraving program at its purest state—prior to overprints, serial application, or cancellation. Printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, Limited, the note displays the full intaglio structure exactly as prepared for final production. ... Read more →

Mauritius 1940 — Government of Mauritius 1 Rupee Uncut Pair Remainder (Pick 26r1)

Uncut vertical pair of Government of Mauritius 1 Rupee remainder notes on ND (1940) paper, cataloged as Pick 26r1 (remainder of the Pick 26 issue type). Two impressions aligned head-to-tail with circular punch cancels; printed in green and rose with the national coat of arms at left and a right-facing portrait at right. Remainders document the production stage between plate approval and issued stock. ... Read more →

Poland 1940 — 10 Złotych Contemporary Counterfeit with WERTLOS Stamp (Pick 94x)

Striking example of a 1940 Poland 10 Złotych contemporary counterfeit, catalogued as Pick 94x and certified PMG 55 About Uncirculated. Produced clandestinely during the German occupation, this note replicates the official Bank Emisyjny design but lacks serial numbers and issue letters — clear hallmarks of underground production. A bold purple 'WERTLOS' (worthless) overprint was applied across the face, likely as an official or resistance-era cancellation after discovery. ... Read more →

Poland 1941 — 1 Złoty, Uncut Sheet of 3 Notes with Serial Numbers (Pick 99b)

Uncut sheet of three 1 Złoty notes printed by the Emission Bank in 1941, Series BE. Each note bears its complete serial number sequence — a rare feature for surviving production materials from the wartime period. Two perforation control holes and a red diagonal cancellation mark across the center indicate withdrawal during the printer’s inspection phase. ... Read more →

Poland 1933 — 25 Złotych Investment Fund Voucher, Series I Bon Funduszu Inwestycyjnego (Lucow 732)

Investment Fund Voucher for 25 złotych, dated 1 December 1933 and issued by the Ministry of the Treasury of the Second Republic of Poland. Series I, with an especially attractive serial number 38888*. Certified PMG 55 EPQ, confirming original paper quality and freshness. ... Read more →

Scotland 1967 — British Linen Bank £1 Specimen Sorting Lines on Back (Pick 168s)

Specimen One Pound of the British Linen Bank dated 13 June 1967, printed by Thomas De La Rue. The face shows the royal arms above the title and an ornate security panel at center. Standard De La Rue SPECIMEN oval handstamps and a specimen control number are present, together with a cancellation punch. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1981 — 100 Dollars H.R. Hardie Signature Replacement Star Serial YA000000* Printer Annotation Specimen (Pick 175as)

The 1981 one hundred dollars printer annotation specimen represents an exceptional archival-stage artifact from New Zealand’s decimal currency series, issued within the ND (1981–1985) period under the signature of H.R. Hardie as Chief Cashier. This note belongs to the later Hardie design phase, distinguished by the revised portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting the mature design update that followed the earlier 1977–1981 issues. ... Read more →