Collection PL

New Zealand 1981 — 1 Dollar (Pick 169as, H.R. Hardie Signature, Star Serial AA000000*, Printer’s Annotation, PMG 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated)

The 1981 one-dollar specimen represents an exceptional and highly specialized production-stage piece from New Zealand’s decimal currency series, issued during the ND (1981–1985) period under the signature of H.R. Hardie as Chief Cashier. This note belongs to the later Hardie design featuring the revised, more mature portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, clearly distinguishing it from the earlier ND (1977–1981) issues bearing the same signatory. ... Read more →

Luxembourg Undated — 100 Francs Back Photographic Proof, Composition Study (Pick Unlisted)

Back-side photographic proof for the one hundred francs design of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, preserved as an archival working piece mounted on cardstock. This example represents an early composition study within the development of the Grand Duke Jean series, prior to final engraving and production alignment. The central vignette depicts the same bridge motif later used in the issued design, but rendered from a more distant viewpoint and within a broader spatial framework. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 — 20 Francs Issued Note (Pick 54a)

Issued twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, representing the first fully matured expression of the Grand Duke Jean series within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this denomination reflects the point where design, engraving, and production discipline reached stable standardization for Luxembourg’s circulating paper money. The obverse features Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, engraved in deep intaglio with controlled line density and consistent ink distribution. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 — 20 Francs Specimen (Pick 54s)

Specimen of the twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, produced as part of the official reference and control series for the Grand Duke Jean issue within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this piece represents the approved design in its non-circulating validation format. The obverse presents Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, engraved in precise intaglio with finely controlled line density and consistent ink distribution. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1966 — 20 Francs Color Trial Specimen (Pick 54cts)

Color trial specimen of the twenty francs note of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg dated 1966, produced during the advanced evaluation phase of the Grand Duke Jean series within the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union framework. Printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company, London, this example represents a controlled press-stage trial where final color relationships, engraving visibility, and overall tonal balance were assessed prior to full production approval. The obverse displays Grand Duke Jean in formal military attire, rendered in finely controlled intaglio and surrounded by complex multicolor guilloche structures. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 1982 — 20 Francs Specimen (Pick 54As, Unissued Series)

Specimen of the unissued 1982 twenty francs series of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, printed by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company as part of a fully prepared but never released national banknote program. This example, serial A000000 099, represents a complete and finalized design held at the specimen stage, with no corresponding issued notes known for the type. At first glance, the note presents a color palette closely aligned with the experimental tones seen in the 1966 development phase. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 — 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted, Early Design Concept)

Face-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 29 July 1965, representing an early design concept later replaced during the development of the series. Produced as part of the internal design evaluation process, this monochrome proof is mounted on archival cardstock and preserves the full composition at a stage prior to final design selection. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal reference formatting used for photographic proofs. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 29 July 1965 — 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted, Early Design Concept)

Back-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 29 July 1965, representing an early reverse design concept later replaced during the development of the series. Produced for internal evaluation, this monochrome proof is mounted on archival cardstock and preserves a composition that differs fundamentally from the finalized reverse adopted for the 1970 issue. The central vignette presents a river landscape with a cargo vessel in the foreground and a row of tall trees lining the bank, extending toward a simplified rural horizon. ... Read more →

Luxembourg August 1965 — 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted, Transitional Design Stage)

Face-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced in August 1965 during the transitional phase between the initial design concept and the finalized layout later adopted for the issued series. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example documents the stage at which the new design direction had been established but not yet fully resolved. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal photographic proof formatting. ... Read more →

Luxembourg August 1965 — 20 Francs Back Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted, Transitional Design Stage)

Back-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, produced in August 1965 during the transitional phase following the abandonment of the earlier July design concept. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example documents the stage at which the final reverse design direction had been selected but not yet fully refined. The central vignette already reflects the composition later adopted for the issued note, featuring the structured river valley with engineered water control elements replacing the earlier boat-based landscape concept. ... Read more →

Luxembourg 24 November 1965 — 20 Francs Face Photographic Proof (Pick Unlisted, Final Layout Stage)

Face-side photographic proof of the twenty francs issue of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 24 November 1965, representing the finalized layout stage of the design prior to full production. Printed in monochrome and mounted on archival cardstock, this example preserves the obverse composition at the point where structural design decisions had been completed. The note carries serial number A000000 in dual placement, consistent with internal photographic proof formatting. ... Read more →

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

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 →