Collection PL

New Zealand 1981 - 1 Dollar (Pick 169as, H.R. Hardie Signature, Star Serial AA000000*, Printer’s Annotation, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated)

The 1981 one-dollar specimen represents an exceptional and highly specialized production-stage piece from New Zealand’s decimal currency series, issued during the ND (1981–1985) period under the signature of H.R. Hardie as Chief Cashier. This note belongs to the later Hardie design featuring the revised, more mature portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, clearly distinguishing it from the earlier ND (1977–1981) issues bearing the same signatory. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Specimen (Pick 54s)

Specimen of the twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, produced as part of the official reference and control series for the Grand Duke Jean issue within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this piece represents the approved design in its non-circulating validation format. The obverse presents Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, engraved in precise intaglio with finely controlled line density and consistent ink distribution. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 - 20 Francs Color Trial Specimen (Pick 54cts)

Color trial specimen of the twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, produced during the advanced evaluation phase of the Grand Duke Jean series within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this example represents a controlled press-stage trial where final color relationships, engraving visibility, and overall tonal balance were assessed prior to full production approval. The obverse displays Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, rendered in finely controlled intaglio and surrounded by complex multicolor guilloche structures. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 - 20 Francs Specimen Unissued Series (Pick 54As)

Specimen of the unissued 1982 twenty francs series of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company as part of a fully prepared but never released national banknote program. This example, serial A000000 099, represents a complete and finalized design held at the specimen stage, with no corresponding issued notes known for the type. At first glance, the note presents a color palette closely aligned with the experimental tones seen in the 1966 development phase. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1967 - 10 Francs Specimen (Pick 53s)

Specimen of the ten francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 20 MARS 1967, representing the controlled production form of the finalized design prepared for reference, archival, and institutional distribution. This example reflects the completed layout previously confirmed through photographic proofs and now executed in full color and production format. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual red placement, consistent with specimen designation. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1972 - 50 Francs Signature A, Color Trial Specimen (Pick 55cts)

Color trial specimen of the fifty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the Signature A configuration later cataloged as Pick 55a. This example reflects the stage of production in which finalized engraving and layout were combined with experimental color application prior to approval for full issuance. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement and is overprinted SPECIMEN in red across the face. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1972 - 50 Francs Signature B, Specimen (Pick 55bs)

Specimen of the fifty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 1972 and representing the Signature B configuration, officially cataloged as Pick 55bs. This example reflects the finalized production design prepared for institutional reference, distribution control, and archival purposes. The note carries serial number D000000 in dual placement and is overprinted SPECIMEN in red across the face. ... Read more →

Ireland - Northern 1929 - Ulster Bank Limited 1 Pound Uncut Sheet of 3 Proofs with Specimen Perforation (Pick Unlisted)

This Ulster Bank Limited 1 Pound uncut sheet of 3 proofs belongs to the Northern Ireland Issue design group of 1929-1934 and survives in a format not represented by the standard single-note Pick listing. It is cataloged here as Pick Unlisted, while the individual proof design is associated with Pick 306p. The sheet preserves three proof impressions before separation, making it a broad production artifact rather than a single cut proof. ... Read more →

Ireland - Northern 1929 - Ulster Bank Limited 1 Pound Proof with Specimen Perforation (Pick 306p)

This 1929 Ulster Bank Limited 1 Pound proof belongs to the Northern Ireland Issue period, when commercial banks in Northern Ireland continued the older Irish and British private-bank note tradition under a sterling monetary system. The note is cataloged as Pick 306p and represents proof-stage material for an Ulster Bank Limited 1 Pound design prepared after partition, when Belfast had become the central geographic identity for the bank’s Northern Ireland note issue. Unlike a state treasury or central-bank note, this design presents the obligation of a commercial bank. ... Read more →

Great Britain 1922 - Thomas Cook and Son 5 Pounds Travellers Cheque Specimen (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen of the 5 Pounds Travellers Cheque prepared for Thomas Cook and Son during the early 1920s, representing the finished specimen-stage form of one of the most recognizable private travel-payment instruments of the interwar period. Printed in a rich brown security design and marked with red specimen and cancellation wording, this cheque preserves the operational format used by Thomas Cook and Son for secure international travel finance after the First World War. The face design combines a strong Thomas Cook and Son title banner, large 5 Pounds denomination devices, dense guilloche patterning, a portrait vignette at the right, and a layered security background designed to convey institutional reliability and protect against alteration. ... Read more →

Great Britain 1919 - Thomas Cook and Son Limited 50 Dollars Travellers Cheques Photographic Proof, Control Layout Design (Pick Unlisted)

Photographic proof of the 50 Dollars Travellers Cheques prepared for Thomas Cook and Son Limited in 1919, representing a highly developed control-layout design for the firm's post First World War international traveller-payment system. Mounted on cardstock and dated 29 March 1919 on the reverse mount, this proof records a more operationally structured 50 Dollars form than the companion United States and Canada design proofs, with serial-number placement, formal payment instruction text, and a detailed international exchange-rate grid built directly into the face. The upper field is dominated by the Thomas Cook and Son name, with New York printed beneath it, immediately identifying the design as part of the firm's transatlantic payment network. ... Read more →

Poland 1938 - Ministry of Finance 1 Zloty Specimen with WZÓR and BEZ WARTOŚCI Overprints (Pick 50s)

A specimen of the Ministry of Finance 1 Zloty State Ticket dated 1 October 1938, bearing red diagonal WZÓR overprints on both sides and a vertical BEZ WARTOŚCI overprint on the face. The overprints form the principal visible specimen markings applied across the completed ticket design. The face features King Boleslaw I the Brave within an engraved oval portrait medallion at right. ... Read more →