Collection PL

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1000 Pesos Specimen, De La Rue Cancel Stamp, Serie A, Specimen No. 50 (Pick 41as)

The obverse design features the engraved portrait of José Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay’s foundational national figure, executed within an ornate architectural framework characteristic of Thomas De La Rue and Company’s late-interwar intaglio production. The denomination MIL PESOS dominates the central cartouche, underscoring the note’s position at the apex of the denomination hierarchy. This example belongs to the Series A–B grouping and bears a controlled all-zero serial format, accompanied by the printed designation SPECIMEN No. 50 at the lower left margin, confirming its place within a numbered specimen sequence. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 500 Pesos Specimen, Perforated Cancel, Serie A (Pick 40as)

The obverse is organized around the commanding QUINIENTOS PESOS inscription, framed by elaborate architectural and ornamental elements. The title of the Republica Oriental del Uruguay occupies the upper field, giving the state name visual priority over the monetary promise below. Serie A appears with an all-zero serial arrangement, a conventional control format that preserves the appearance and spacing of the circulation numbering system while clearly separating the piece from issued currency. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 500 Pesos Specimen, Printed Cancel, Serie A, Specimen No. 29 (Pick 40as)

The portrait vignette at right is modeled through dense intaglio linework and placed against imagery associated with industry and economic activity. It forms the human center of the design, while the watermark area at left provides an open counterweight within the otherwise heavily engraved surface. This balance between portraiture, unprinted paper, monumental typography, and ornamental security work is characteristic of Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited's high-denomination designs of the period. Read more →

United States 1854 - Empire City Bank 100 Dollars Proof (Pick NY1585G16P)

This one hundred dollars proof must therefore be understood not as a failed issue or unissued remainder, but as a controlled institutional artifact documenting the mechanics of private banknote design, engraving, and presentation in the pre Civil War United States. It stands as museum grade evidence of how American private banks projected credibility and authority through engraved paper money in an era before centralized monetary control. Read more →

Italy 1781 - Regie Finanze di Torino 5 Scudi Front Proof Sheet (Pick Unlisted)

This uncut front proof sheet represents the five scudi denomination prepared for the Regie Finanze of the Kingdom of Sardinia and dated Torino il primo Luglio 1781. It is a true proof-stage production sheet and constitutes the only currently documented multi-impression sheet of this denomination. The sheet is printed from the earliest engraved plates, specifically plate numbers one and two. Read more →

Italy 1745 - Regie Finanze di Torino - 100 Lire Back Proof, Pre-Date Control State (Pick Unlisted)

This pre-date control state survives as a complete and independently preserved proof impression. Its preservation as a full sheet records an early control stage within the production of the one hundred lire issue, prior to the addition of dated and fully populated legal text on later control impressions. Read more →

Italy 1746 - Regie Finanze di Torino - 100 Lire Back Proof, Fixed-Date Control State (Pick Unlisted)

Below the central emblem, a ribbon bearing the inscription Regie Finanze integrates the heraldic and textual elements into a unified fiscal authority statement. The lower margin of the design carries the engraved plate identifier P.2, confirming production from plate number two and documenting systematic plate-based preparation rather than decorative or commemorative printing. Read more →

Italy 1765 - Regie Finanze di Torino - 100 Lire Front Proof, Final Face State (Pick Unlisted)

The upper text field carries the denomination and obligation wording beginning with Per il Capitale di lire cento, followed by the dated line Torino il p. Gen. 1765. Beneath this appear engraved signature titles arranged in vertical alignment, including Maestro Auditore, Maestro Auditore, Tesoriere generale, and Controllore della Tesoreria, with ruled signature lines left blank. Read more →

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Issued Note (Pick 5d)

The turtle watermark, explicitly recorded on the PMG label, serves as a primary security feature and a nationally resonant symbol suited to Cayman’s maritime character. Combined with serial control, engraved line density, and De La Rue’s consistent production standards, the watermark reflects a mature security printing system designed for heavy everyday circulation. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 500 Pesos Specimen Printed Cancel Serie D Specimen No. 12 (Pick 40cs)

The printed designation Specimen No. 12 gives the note a precise place within its controlled sequence. Combined with the Serie D identification and paired all-zero serial numbers, it records an individually accountable example prepared under institutional procedures. The number is therefore part of the note's archival identity, not merely an additional printed marking. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 100 Pesos Specimen, Red Overprint, Serie D (Pick 39cs)

Red specimen markings continue across the reverse, creating a complete two-sided cancellation state. The repeated diagonal inscription and oval control stamps bind both faces into a single documented reference format and distinguish this piece clearly from its black-marked companion. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 100 Pesos Specimen, Black Overprint, Serie D (Pick 39cs)

This Serie D one hundred pesos specimen of the Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay is identified as Specimen No. 2 and forms the black-marked counterpart to a matching red specimen-control example. Both notes share the same Pick 39cs classification, Serie D designation, prefix D all-zero serial numbers, printed Specimen No. 2 identity, completed design, and certified grade. Their only major administrative distinction is the color of the diagonal specimen inscription and the oval printer control stamps. Read more →