Rare banknotes from around the globe, with exceptional offerings from five different continents and an exceptional collection of notes featuring Queen Elizabeth II, will land in new collections after they are sold in the March 27-28 World Paper Money Signature Auction from Heritage Auctions.
Among the other highlights in the event is an exceptional India Government of India, Bombay 1000 Rupees 12.8.1925 Pick A19Ac Jhunjhunwalla-Razack 2A.7.2D.3 PMG Very Fine 30 that is a famously rare uniface denomination. Large-format Government of India notes are as popular as ever, with the highest denominations being especially coveted. While a 10,000 Rupees note may have been printed, it is either exceedingly rare or unknown extant in issued format, which leaves 1,000s like the one offered in this auction as the highest available denomination. The signature of H. Denning and a Bombay city of issuance text are mentioned to further identify this type note.
Suriname Surinaamsche Bank 1000 Gulden 1.7.1865 Pick 51r Remainder PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 is the highest denomination of the Surinamese Bank’s series issued from 1865 to 1910. The demand is understandable, as Surinamese banknotes issued in the 19th and early 20th centuries are famously rare or unknown in issued format, sparking relentless pursuit by those eager to fill bolster their collections. From a miniscule 200 notes bearing the first date that actually were issued, this remainder is the only example of this denomination in the PMG Population Report and the first offered at Heritage. There are no issued notes, Specimen, or Proofs recorded to date.
German East Africa Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank 500 Rupien 2.9.1912 Pick 5 PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 is one of the most famous and desirable of all African banknotes. It was the highest denomination of the Emperor Wilhelm II series that was dated 1905 and 1912. This beautiful note was printed in small numbers and is therefore very rare today. The example offered in this auction is tied with three others and bettered by only one in the PMG Population Report.
One of the more visually dramatic lots in the auction is an extremely rare Russian State Credit Notes 100 Rubles 1882 Pick A53 PMG Very Fine 25. This gorgeous banknote, from The IL Collection, was issued during the late 19th century–1882 is the first date of this design issued by the Gosudarstvenniy Bank–and is one of the most famous of all Russian banknotes. Genuine examples are extremely rare; this note, one of just five of this type across all known dates from 1882-94, is the first example offered at Heritage.
British printer Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company printed banknotes for the National Bank of Egypt from 1899 until the 1950s. Its first series of notes, dated 1899 to about 1912, is exceedingly rare in issued format, which leaves Specimen and Proofs as the best methods to acquire these earliest notes. Among the top attractions in the auction is an Egypt National Bank of Egypt 5 Pounds ND (1899-1912) Pick 3cts Color Trial Specimen PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ – a Color Trial Specimen for the first series 5 Pounds of 1899 to 1912. PMG has graded only one issued example of this type, and one Color Trial Specimen, which is offered here.
The auction includes one of the highest-graded examples of a Netherlands Indies Javasche Bank 1000 Gulden 32.6.1968 Pick 85s2 Specimen PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ that is the crowning denomination of the Wayang Dancers series of notes issued by the Javanese Bank in the 1930s. The design elements seen on the banknotes of this series are unique and are not found elsewhere in the world, making them particularly attractive in the collecting community. The 1000 Gulden was the highest denomination of the series, and it is very rare in both issued and Specimen formats. This Gem Uncirculated example is tied with one other in the PMG Population Report and is bettered by only one other.
Balmoral Collection of Queen Elizabeth II Banknotes in Upcoming Heritage World Paper Money Auction
Banknotes from countries that have made up the British Commonwealth have been coveted since people first started collecting numismatics. Within that specialization, assorted notes from numerous countries – from England to Canada, from Scotland to Gibraltar to Malta to New Zealand – have featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the former British monarch who has appeared on more currency than anyone in history.
Some exceptional examples, part of the Balmoral Collection of Queen Elizabeth II, will cross the auction block in the auction.
The collection includes 52 magnificent lots in the auction, including a Low Serial Number 100 Bahamas Bahamas Government 50 Dollars 1965 Pick 24a PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ that is prized for a number of reasons. The note’s condition and high grade generate immediate interest, but the remarkable binary serial number – the last one in the first pack of notes issued by the Bahamian Government – makes this a truly remarkable banknote. Just three examples are graded higher in the PMG Population Report than the one offered in this auction.
Another beauty from the collection is a Canada Bank of Canada $1000 1954 BC-36S “Devil’s Face” Specimen PCGS Banknote Choice Unc 63 that is a famous rarity in both issued and Specimen format. This example is without serial numbers and signatures, but the design and shading of the Queen’s hair seem to display a snarling “Devil’s Face.” The example in this auction is just the ninth ever offered at the world’s leading World Paper Money auctioneer.
Low serial numbers always are in high demand, making the desire for a Matching Serial Number 81 Bahamas Bahamas Government 1/2; 1; 100 Dollar/s 1965 Pick 17a; 18a; 25a Three Examples PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ; Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ; Choice About Uncirculated 58 clear. A desirable two-digit serial number (81) appears on each note in this trio, which includes the two lowest and the highest denominations of the series and is exceptionally rare in issued format. The $100 denomination offered here is a key note for the Bahamas as well as for the entire British Commonwealth.
The Balmoral Collection is so expansive that it also will be featured in a second event consisting of 409 more lots: The Balmoral Collection of Queen Elizabeth II – World Paper Money Showcase Auction will be held at Heritage on March 30.
Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/4054.
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Been interested in u s coins & paper money for past 50 years.