Collection

Uruguay 1887 — Banco Nacional 20 Centésimos (Canelones Branch Overprint, Serial H092503)

Later departmental variety of the 1887 Banco Nacional 20 Centésimos carrying the red CANELONES overprint across the obverse. The stamp authenticated handling by the Canelones branch, one of Uruguay’s main agricultural centers. The underlying Waterlow & Sons design with Mercury and the intricate green reverse remains identical to other issues. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1887 — Banco Nacional 20 Centésimos (Later Plain Issue, Serial K078922)

Final plain-issue example within the 1887 Banco Nacional 20 Centésimos series, prefix K, showing the mature Waterlow & Sons plate. By this time, branch overprints had ceased and new deliveries from London circulated unmarked. Mercury vignette identical; slightly greener paper and deeper black lines show re-inked presses. ... Read more →

Uruguay 1870 — República Oriental del Uruguay 50 Centésimos, Junta de Crédito Público (“Cow Head”) Serial 274594

Issued by the Junta de Crédito Público under the Ley de 4 de Mayo de 1870, this 50 Centésimos note represents one of Uruguay’s earliest government-backed paper currencies. Locally printed in Montevideo by Litografía G. Mas & Cía., the design belongs to the same inaugural emission as the 1 Peso 'Mercury' note. ... Read more →

New South Wales 1865 — Embossed 'ONE HALF PERCENT' Stamp Duty Proof (Specimen)

Archival embossed proof prepared for the New South Wales Treasury in 1865, showing the crowned arms of the colony and the inscription 'ONE HALF PERCENT' surrounded by laurel wreaths. Produced on Cowan & Sons watermarked paper, this piece combines colourless embossing with printed blue 'Specimen' text and framing lines, representing the official presentation format used for fiscal die approval. This proof belongs to the earliest generation of Australian government fiscal printing, created to authenticate legal documents and financial instruments before the widespread adoption of adhesive revenue stamps. ... Read more →

Italy 1871 — Germania with Shield and Spear, Vignette Die Proof (Used for 500 Lire, PS977)

Engraved vignette die proof titled 'Germania with Shield and Spear,' executed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., London, for the Banca Italo-Germanica circa 1871. The intaglio engraving portrays the female personification of Germany—Germania—standing armed with shield and spear, crowned with laurel, and rendered in the romantic classical style characteristic of early Bradbury Wilkinson export work. The surrounding cartouche bears the inscription 'BANCA ITALO-GERMANICA' and the denomination 500, indicating its later integration into the 500 Lire proof (PS977). ... Read more →

United States 1830s — Pennsylvania, Philadelphia — Penn Township Savings Institution 10 Cents Proof (Unlisted)

Engraved proof note for the Penn Township Savings Institution of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dating to the 1830s. This fractional-denomination certificate represents one of the earliest savings deposit proofs, promising repayment of ten cents with interest at 2% per annum. The ornate intaglio design includes large '10' denomination counters and paired portraits of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. ... Read more →

Canada 1896 — Bank of Nova Scotia 20 Dollars Front and Back Proofs (PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated)

Matched front and back proof pair of the 20 Dollars note issued by the Bank of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, dated 22 July 1896. Engraved and printed by the American Bank Note Company, New York, these proofs represent the artistic and technical pinnacle of Canadian chartered banknote design in the late 19th century. The front proof, executed in black and white, features the seated allegorical figure of Commerce holding a trident, flanked by maritime motifs referencing Halifax’s seafaring economy. ... Read more →

Honduras 1863 — 5 Pesos Treasury Bond (Vale de Hacienda, República Libre Soberano e Independiente)

Original 5 Pesos Vale de Hacienda issued by the Republic of Honduras under the decree of 2 March 1863, one of the earliest known fiscal instruments of the post-independence era. Printed on official watermarked paper and bearing the national seal of the República de Honduras Libre, Soberano e Independiente, the document formalized short-term credit extended to the government in lieu of circulating coinage. This piece was payable to bearer upon presentation at state revenue offices, as specified in the text: 'Las administraciones de rentas del Estado admitirán como dinero efectivo… cinco pesos que ha prestado al Gobierno.' It carries bold manuscript signatures of the Contador, Tesorero General, and Intendente, and features embossed and ink seals from the Treasury and local departmental offices (notably the Cholu–Tegucigalpa district). ... Read more →