Collection PL

Brazil 1963 — Tesouro Nacional, Prefix Test Proof “Estampa 3ª Série 000a”

Printer’s serial and prefix trial sheet bearing three bold red impressions reading 'ESTAMPA 3ª SÉRIE 000a'. Produced as an undated archival test without denomination, vignette, or design. Such prefix tests allowed press operators to calibrate numbering wheels and ink density before full production of Tesouro Nacional banknotes. ... Read more →

Brazil 1964 — 100 Cruzeiros Essay Face Proof (SCWPM 170b)

Large-format essay face proof for a proposed 100 Cruzeiros design, mounted on card and attributed to the early Tesouro Nacional redesign period of the 1960s. This archival printer’s pull demonstrates the face layout considered for adoption under SCWPM 170b, with unfinished margins and unprinted color fields typical of pre-production material. Essays such as this served as presentation pieces for government and bank approval before finalizing plate engravings. ... Read more →

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

Back-side photographic proof of the 1970 one hundred francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced during the final design validation stage prior to full printing. The image is presented in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, preserving the complete reverse composition without color separation. A handwritten production annotation dated 24 February 1970 is visible along the lower margin, providing a direct reference to the internal review timeline. ... Read more →

New Zealand 1934 — Reserve Bank of New Zealand 10 Shillings Photographic Face Proof (Pick 154p)

This photographic face proof preserves the engraved design prepared for the first 10 Shillings banknote issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand following the creation of the central bank under the Reserve Bank Act of 1933. The proof represents the pre-press stage of the denomination, recording the completed engraving before the design was transferred to printing plates for circulation production. The note belongs to the inaugural Reserve Bank series commonly known as the "Lefeaux series", named for Leslie Lefeaux, the institution’s first Governor. ... Read more →

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

This engraved vignette die proof preserves the Golden Mask motif prepared for the 500 Denari denomination of the Republic of Macedonia’s first post-independence banknote series issued in 1996. Produced by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited in London, the proof represents one of the earliest physical stages in the creation of the banknote’s final design. 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. ... Read more →

United States 1902 – 5 Dollars Large Size Plain Back National Bank Note – The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas Charter 13076 Error Note (Fr.609)

Organized in May 1927, The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas, was one of the last institutions chartered under the National Banking Act, entering the system just as small-town banks faced increasing consolidation pressures. Chartered as number 13076, it was led by cashier N. Reimers and president W. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1939 — Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1 Peso Photographic Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

A photographic proof pair for the 1 Peso issue dated 1939, prepared for the Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Produced as part of the unified 1939 series, this proof pair documents the finalized design of the lowest denomination in photographic form prior to circulation printing. The obverse features a formal engraved portrait of José Gervasio Artigas at right, balanced by the national arms and denomination within a structured ornamental framework. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1935 — Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1 Peso Photographic Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

A photographic proof pair for the 1935 1 Peso issue produced for the Departamento de Emisión del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Printed on photographic paper and mounted on cardstock, this pair records the approved face and back designs for the lowest denomination of Uruguay’s 1935 series. The obverse presents a dual-portrait composition combining a helmeted allegorical female figure and a formal profile portrait of José Gervasio Artigas, arranged within a dense ornamental framework of guilloche and engraved line work. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1896 — Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 10 Pesos Photographic Proof Pair (Pick Unlisted)

A photographic proof pair for the 10 Pesos issue dated 1896, produced by the American Bank Note Company for the Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay. Printed in black on photographic paper and mounted on cardstock, this pair preserves the approved face and back engravings prior to preparation of circulation plates. The obverse features a formal engraved portrait medallion set within an ornate late-nineteenth-century framework of scrollwork, lathe engraving, and dense guilloche patterns. ... Read more →

Barbados 1980 — Government of Barbados 10,000 Dollars Treasury Bill, Specimen, Punch Hole Cancelled, No Prefix

This Treasury Bill specimen was issued by the Government of Barbados under the authority of the Treasury Bills (Local) Act of 1922 and represents a non-circulating fiscal instrument prepared for internal treasury reference and archival retention. The denomination of ten thousand dollars reflects a high-value obligation within the Barbados Treasury Bill structure, intended for significant accounting and liquidity operations rather than routine fiscal use. The note is printed in a refined multicolour engraved security design, framed by an ornate guilloche border and filled with a dense repeating “Government of Barbados” underprint across the entire face. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 24 November 1965 — 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof Final Layout Stage (Pick 54)

Back-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 24 November 1965, representing the finalized reverse layout aligned with the design later adopted for the issued note (Pick 54). Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example captures the reverse composition at the point of final structural approval. The central vignette depicts the engineered river valley with integrated water control structures, matching the configuration used in the issued series. ... Read more →

Luxembourg July 3 1966 — 10 Francs Face Photographic Proof Final Layout Stage (Pick 53)

Face-side photographic proof of the ten francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated July 3, 1966 as indicated on the grading holder, representing the finalized obverse layout prior to production. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example preserves the design at the stage where all structural and compositional decisions had been completed. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal photographic proof conventions. ... Read more →