Collection PL

Luxembourg 1970 - 100 Francs Archival Gridlines Calibration Specimen Serial D170001 (Pick 56s)

At the upper margin, a handwritten printer’s annotation is present, consisting of a date and internal control reference. These markings document the note’s movement through a specific stage of production review, connecting the physical sheet to a defined moment within the printing workflow. Read more →

Luxembourg 24 February 1970 - 100 Francs Back Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted)

Mounted on original cardstock, the proof reflects standard archival handling within the production workflow. These materials were not intended for preservation and were typically discarded once engraving and printing phases were completed. Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 - 5000 Denari Photographic Transparency Essay (Maenad Vignette)

This photographic transparency records the engraved Maenad vignette prepared during the design development of the Republic of Macedonia’s inaugural 5000 Denari banknote. Created within the pre-press workflow of Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, the transparency preserves the original engraved image before the design progressed into plate production and full banknote printing. Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 - 500 Denari Vignette Die Proof (Golden Death Mask)

A vignette die proof is printed directly from the engraved steel die before the image is transferred to the working plates used for banknote production. At this stage the engraving is evaluated in isolation from the surrounding design elements of the note. The proof allows the issuing authority and printer to inspect the precision of the burin work, tonal depth, and overall balance of the vignette before it is incorporated into the multi-layer printing structure of the finished banknote. Read more →

New Zealand 1981 - 100 Dollars H.R. Hardie Signature Serial YAA000000 Printer Annotation Specimen with Single Punch Hole (Pick 175as)

A defining feature of this specimen is the presence of extensive handwritten printer annotations across the surface. The word 'approved' is clearly visible within the left field, accompanied by additional handwritten markings, numeric notations, and initials. Further writing appears along the lower margin, indicating multiple stages of internal review and verification. These markings document the progression of the note through approval checkpoints within the production workflow. Read more →

Uruguay 1935 - Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 100 Pesos Photographic Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

Printed on photographic paper and previously mounted on cardstock, this proof pair was not part of the production workflow but served as an archival record of the approved design. Certified by Professional Coin Grading Service Currency as Choice New 63 for the face and New 62 for the back, it survives as a complete face-and-back photographic ensemble documenting Uruguay’s 1935 banknote program. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1,000 Pesos Large-Format Presentation Photo Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

This exceptionally large-format photographic presentation proof pair for the 1,000 Pesos issue dated 1939 represents the apex of archival proof material prepared for the Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Produced by the American Bank Note Company, this pair documents the finalized design of Uruguay’s highest denomination in its fully resolved form, preserved outside the currency production workflow. Read more →

Poland 1937 - Free City of Gdańsk Bank of Danzig 20 Gulden Architectural Vignette Bradbury Wilkinson and Company

As part of Bradbury Wilkinson’s production process, vignettes were engraved separately before integration into the master plate. This modular workflow allowed specialist engravers to refine line depth, tonal balance, and compositional clarity independently from the surrounding guilloché and denomination framework. The result is a highly controlled focal element within the final printed note. Read more →