Collection PL

Italy 1868 - Banco di Napoli Fede di Credito 50–200 Lire Specimen (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen Fede di Credito from the Banco di Napoli, engraved by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. during the early years of the unified Kingdom of Italy. The Banco di Napoli traced its roots back to charitable institutions founded in 1539, making it one of Europe’s oldest surviving banks. Rather than circulating currency in the strict sense, these fede di credito served as deposit receipts payable on demand, functioning as quasi-banknotes that circulated regionally as trusted paper. Read more →

Italy 1869 - Credito Agricolo della Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna 30 Lire Specimen (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen of the 30 Lire issue from the Credito Agricolo della Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna, produced by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company during the critical early phase of post-unification Italian financial restructuring. The denomination itself-30 Lire-is highly unconventional and appears directly tied to structured agricultural credit mechanisms rather than standard monetary circulation, reflecting targeted rural financing systems implemented in newly unified Italy. Read more →

Italy 1866 - Credito Fondiario di Bologna 50 Lire Specimen (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen proof of the 50 Lire issue from the Credito Fondiario di Bologna, engraved by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. and dated 1866. Credito Fondiario institutions specialized in long-term, mortgage-backed lending-a key innovation in Italy’s financial system, providing stability and funding for agricultural and urban development at a time when the new Kingdom was still economically fragmented. Read more →

Australia 1963 - Commercial Banking Company of Sydney LIMITED £5 Travellers Cheque Specimen (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen traveller’s cheque for £5 issued by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Limited. Printed in blue and green with the same allegorical vignette of a child with fleece used across the series, embodying the themes of trust, productivity, and growth. Read more →

Australia 1963 - Commercial Banking Company of Sydney LIMITED £2 Travellers Cheque Specimen (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen traveller’s cheque for £2 issued by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Limited. Printed in green with an allegorical vignette depicting a child with fleece, symbolizing prosperity, trade, and trust - central ideals in Australian colonial iconography. Read more →

Brazil 1963 - 1000 Cruzeiros Specimen, (Pick 181s)

Specimen of the 1000 Cruzeiros printed by Thomas De La Rue & Company, London, bearing red SPECIMEN overprint, punch cancellations, and De La Rue’s oval control marks. The note is labeled Estampa 2A / Série 791A with zero serials, confirming its archival or approval status rather than an issued piece. Read more →

Brazil 1963 - 5 Cruzeiros Specimen (Pick 176bs)

Thomas De La Rue specimen of the 5 Cruzeiros denomination, showing red SPECIMEN overprint, circular punch cancels, and zero serials. Certified PMG 67 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated and noted Top Pop, this piece demonstrates the exceptional condition of De La Rue’s retained production samples. Read more →

Brazil 1963 - 100 Cruzeiros Specimen (Pick 180s)

Specimen of the 100 Cruzeiros printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd., marked by a red SPECIMEN overprint, punch cancels, and De La Rue control ovals at the margin. Identified as Estampa 2A / Série 216A, this note typifies the elegant late-period Cruzeiro designs that bridged classic British engraving with emerging modernist trends in Brazilian note art. 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. Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 - 1000 Francs Color Trial Specimen Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52bcts)

Color trial specimen of the 1982 one thousand francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, representing the experimental color phase of the highest denomination prepared within this contingency series. As the top denomination, the 1000 Francs carries the full complexity of the design system, and in color trial form, it exposes the decision layer behind the final adopted palette. Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 - 500 Francs Specimen Grand Duchess Charlotte (Pick 52as)

Specimen of the 1982 five hundred francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, forming the structural backbone denomination within the unissued contingency series. While the 1000 Francs defines the apex, the 500 Francs represents the operational core of the intended circulation system, designed for real transactional use had the issue been released. Read more →

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

Archival calibration specimen of the 1970 one hundred francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced during the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union period and printed by Thomas De La Rue & Company, London. Unlike standard specimen notes bearing placeholder serials, this example carries a live production-format serial number D170001, linking it directly to an active print batch within the manufacturing process. Read more →