Collection PL

Austria 1806 - Wiener Stadt Banco 10 Gulden Issued Note (Pick A39a)

Security relied on material and procedural features rather than pictorial engraving. A prominent watermark displaying the value in both Arabic and Roman numerals, multiple blind embossed seals, and hand-applied serial numbers and signatures formed the core anti-counterfeiting measures. These elements illustrate an advanced, yet still pre-industrial, approach to security printing at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Read more →

Great Britain 1997 - Thomas De La Rue 100 Units Test Note Portal Watermark

A rare Thomas De La Rue test note, issued as a demonstration piece rather than circulating currency. Dated ND (1997), this 100 Units note was printed to showcase De La Rue’s advanced banknote security design, incorporating microtext, guilloche patterns, and the portal watermark. The obverse features a portrait of Thomas De La Rue with multicolor lathework and the company’s headquarters vignette. Test notes like this were produced for presentations, sales demonstrations, and security trials, not for public issue, and remain highly sought after by collectors. Read more →

Ireland - Northern 2004 - Northern Bank £50 Specimen NR126 (Pick Unlisted)

Specimen of the 2004 Northern Bank £50, printed by De La Rue for Northern Bank Limited, Belfast. This pre-issue design was the last note prepared before the bank’s December 2004 robbery, the largest cash theft in UK history. The note carries the red SPECIMEN overprint and the oval NO VALUE control stamps, serial DA000000 001, and watermark of Sir Samuel C. Davidson (1846-1921), the inventor and industrialist who founded Sirocco Engineering Works and appears on all high denominations of the series. Read more →

Ireland - Northern 2005 - Northern Bank £50 Specimen NR131 (Pick 208s)

Specimen of the redesigned 2005 Northern Bank £50, printed by Thomas De La Rue and issued under the new Northern Bank Limited branding after the December 2004 robbery. Serial JB000000, watermark Sir Samuel Davidson, and bold red SPECIMEN overprint across the face. This version was part of the printer’s formal reference and approval series prepared for bank and regulator use. Read more →

Ireland - Northern 2005 - Northern Bank £50 Issued Note NR131 (Pick 208)

Circulation version of the 2005 Northern Bank £50, printed by Thomas De La Rue for Northern Bank Limited, Belfast. Serial range JB000001 onward, watermark Sir Samuel C. Davidson, printer imprint TDLR. This was the first newly issued note after the December 2004 robbery, part of the complete recall and redesign program that replaced every Northern Bank note then in use. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 50 Pesos Perforated SIN VALOR Specimen with Specimen Number 000235 (Pick 38s)

Specimen of the 50 Pesos dated 22 January 1939 for the Departamento de Emision del Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay, printed by Thomas De La Rue, London. This specimen carries the red ESPECIMEN overprint, the perforated cancellation reading 'SIN VALOR', and multiple circular punch holes applied by Thomas De La Rue as part of printer archive control. Serial 00000000, Series C. Watermark Jose Gervasio Artigas. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 - Banco de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay 50 Pesos Serie C Specimen, Specimen No. 9 (Pick 38bs)

The obverse is organized beneath the commanding title REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY, with CINCUENTA PESOS integrated into the lower central portion of the design. The composition is constructed from elaborate geometric security engraving, ornamental borders, repeated denomination devices, and carefully balanced fields of blue and brown printing. The large oval at left accommodates the watermark of Jose Gervasio Artigas, incorporating Uruguay's principal national figure into the physical structure of the paper. Read more →

Uruguay 1939 (1967 Authorization) - Banco Central del Uruguay 50 Pesos Serie D Specimen, Specimen No. 2 (Pick 42As)

The obverse is dominated by the inscription REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY and the central denomination CINCUENTA PESOS. The composition is built from elaborate geometric security engraving, repeated denomination devices, ornamental borders, and contrasting blue and brown printing. The large open oval at left accommodates the watermark of Jose Gervasio Artigas, incorporating Uruguay's principal national figure into the physical structure of the paper. Read more →

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

The Maenad motif derives from an ancient bronze sculpture discovered at the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis and represents movement, vitality, and cultural continuity. When the 5000 Denari denomination was introduced following Macedonia’s independence, the figure became the defining icon of the series. The same image was incorporated into the banknote’s watermark, linking the central artistic theme with one of the note’s principal security devices. Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 - 5000 Denari Specimen Maenad EA0000000 No. 006 (Pick 19s)

At the center of the design appears the Maenad figure, derived from a classical bronze sculpture discovered at the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis. The dancer’s dynamic posture symbolizes movement and vitality and became the defining icon of the denomination. The same Maenad motif is incorporated into the watermark of issued notes, linking the artistic centerpiece of the design with one of the banknote’s primary security devices. Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 - 5000 Denari Issued Note EA5464675 Maened (Pick 19a)

A key feature of the denomination is the integration of the Maenad motif into the banknote’s security architecture. The same figure appears as the watermark embedded within the paper, linking the principal engraved subject with one of the primary anti-counterfeiting devices. When the note is held to transmitted light, the watermark reproduces the Maenad form in soft tonal relief, demonstrating the intentional alignment between artistic design and security function. Read more →

North Macedonia 1996 - 500 Denari Specimen Golden Death Mask GA0000000 No. 006 (Pick 17s)

The central motif of the design is the Golden Mask discovered at the archaeological site of Trebeništa near Ohrid. Dating to the 6th century BCE, the funerary mask is one of the most important artifacts associated with the ancient cultures of the Macedonian region. Its stylized facial features and circular hair ornaments translate effectively into engraved linework, making it well suited for both aesthetic and security purposes in banknote design. The same mask appears as the watermark on issued notes, linking the primary vignette with a critical anti-counterfeiting element embedded in the paper. Read more →