DALLAS, TEXAS.- Bidders will have a chance to acquire a combination of extraordinary artwork with historical storytelling when more than 500 banknotes from around the globe are offered Oct. 20 in Heritage Auctions’ World Paper Money Signature® Auction.

“2022 has been an incredible year for our world banknote collectors. This auction adds to the unparalleled variety of high-quality notes we have recently offered.” Heritage Auctions Numismatics Vice President Dustin Johnston said. “Our global network of offices and experts have sourced incredible rarities, many of which have never been offered at auction.”

The auction includes a selection of 10 extraordinary banknotes from East Africa, including a Serial Number 8 East Africa East African Currency Board 50 Florins = 5 Pounds 1.5.1920 Pick 12 PMG About Uncirculated 55 (estimate: $40,000+) that bears a coveted serial number ad is just the fourth issued example offered at auction in the last decade. The 1920 series of Currency Board notes denominated in Florins was short-lived, as Shillings notes bearing the date 1921 were issued shortly thereafter. Just five examples are currently graded by PMG, which indicates the rarity of this denomination in issued form.

Another magnificent East African note in the auction is an East Africa East African Currency Board 20 Florins = 2 Pounds 1.5.1920 Pick 11 PMG About Uncirculated 55 (estimate: $35,000+). Any East African Currency Board note denominated in Florins is a prize, because so few remain. Just four examples are graded by PMG, and this example – one of only a few known in private hands and an iconic African and British Commonwealth type note – is tied with one other for the highest grade. The Currency Board adopted the Shillings denomination scheme for notes dated 1921, which indicates that this Florin series was quite short-lived.

Other East African highlights in the auction include, but are not limited to:

• An East African Currency Board 10 Florins = 1 Pound 1.5.1920 Pick 10 PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 (estimate: $30,000+)

• An East African Currency Board, Mombasa 1000 Shillings = 50 Pounds 15.12.1921 Pick 18 PMG About Uncirculated 53 (estimate: $25,000+)

Trinidad and Tobago

Among the 12 lots from the southernmost island country in the Caribbean is a beautiful Canadian Bank of Commerce 100 Dollars 1.3.1921 Pick S113 PMG Very Fine 25 (estimate: $30,000+) – the first in issued format ever offered through Heritage Auctions. During the first half of the 20th century, a variety of currencies and coins circulated in Trinidad and Tobago. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago issued small denomination notes from 1905 until about 1939, at which time higher denominations were issued. This amazing $100 is from the Canadian Bank of Commerce, and was issued in Port of Spain. A small serial number confirms a limited print run of this highest denomination.

Also offered is a Canadian Bank of Commerce 20 Dollars 1.3.1921 Pick S112a PMG Very Fine 25 (estimate: $15,000+), the second Canadian Bank of Commerce example offered in this auction that was issued in The Port of Spain for Trinidad and Tobago. The only graded example on the PMG Population Report, this note also is being offered for the first time ever at Heritage Auctions. No price history for this variety in fully issued form has been found, further underscoring its rarity.

Other highlights from Trinidad and Tobago include, but are not limited to:

• A Canadian Bank of Commerce 20 Dollars 1.7.1939 Pick S117a 75-30-04 PMG Very Fine 30 (estimate: $8,000+)

• A Barclays Bank Dominion, Colonial and Overseas 100 Dollars 1.3.1940 Pick S104b PMG Extremely Fine 40 (estimate: $2,500+)

Panama

An exceptional and extremely rare Panama Banco Central de Emision 20 Balboas 1941 Pick 25s Specimen PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ (estimate: $25,000+) is from the highest denomination of the Panamanian “Seven Day” series of banknotes dated 1941. The PMG Population Report lists only 10 issued Banknotes, one Remainder and six Specimen.

Another Panamanian highlight is the Banco Central de Emision 10 Balboas 1941 Pick 24s Specimen PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ (estimate: $20,000+). High-denomination banknotes from Panama’s 1941 series are extremely scarce and very desirable, especially in Specimen form. This high grade 10 Balboas is tied for the highest grade among just five notes graded in the PMG Population Report. Within one week of issue, nearly of half the six million Balboas that were printed in a variety of denominations were issued, but that was abruptly halted after a military coup instituted a new president in Panama. All non-issued notes were destroyed, and within 10 years, the vast majority of the issued notes were redeemed.

Greek Legacy Collection

One of two pedigreed collections in the auction is the Greek Legacy Collection, which includes an exceptional Serial Number 1 Greece National Bank of Greece 100 Drachmai 1.3.1923 Pick 76 PMG Extremely Fine 40 (estimate: $10,000+). This excellent banknote features the first serial number for its assigned prefix




The Greek Legacy Collection also includes an amazingly rare National Bank of Greece 10 Drachmai ND (1889-93) Pick 37s Specimen PMG About Uncirculated 55 (estimate: $8,000+), the first ever offered through Heritage Auctions. PMG has graded just one issued example, and only four Proofs and Specimen combined. There are no traceable auction records for this type in the past decade. This undated Specimen is from the era 1889 to 1893, and all details are clearly visible.

Other top selections from the Greek Legacy Collection include, but are not limited to:

• A National Bank of Greece 25 Drachmai ND (1897-1900) Pick 44ct Color Trial PCGS Apparent About New 53 (estimate: $7,000+)

• A National Bank of Greece 1000 Drachmai 30.3.1901 Pick 50s Specimen PCGS Choice About New 58 (estimate: $6,000+)

• A National Bank of Greece 25 Drachmai 20.9.1894 Pick 38 PCGS Very Fine 20 (estimate: $5,000+)

Raphael Dvir Paper Money of Israel Collection

Among the offerings is the Raphael Dvir Paper Money of Israel Collection, a 48-lot trove from the President of Granbury Solutions.

Thomas de la Rue was tasked with printing a banknote series for the Bank Luemi during the early to mid-1950s. While they were being designed, the note issuance responsibilities of Bank Luemi were transferred to the new Bank of Israel. The Bank of Israel adopted the design series from the Bank of Luemi, and de la Rue altered the issuer name, along with other details from the final design, including the flora motif design on upper-right as well as some font and artistic motifs on the front essay and the symbols of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the central abstract motif and location of the bank name on the back essay. Notes like the Israel Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. 1 Lira Pick Unlisted Front and Back Composite Essays (estimate: $10,000+) are extremely scarce as this design never was issued by the Bank Leumi. These unique Composite Essays are the only way to have these two unused and unpublished designs as part of any collection.

Other highlights from the Raphael Dvir Paper Money of Israel Collection include, but are not limited to:

• An Israel Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. 10 Lirot Pick Unlisted Front and Back Composite Essays (estimate: $10,000+)

• An Israel Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. 500 Pruta Pick Unlisted Composite Essay (estimate: $8,000+)

• An Israel Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. 5 Lirot Pick Unlisted Composite Essay (estimate: $8,000+)

• An Israel Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. 10 Lirot ND (ca. 1953-44) Pick Unlisted Printer's Design PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 (estimate: $5,000+)

• An Israel Bank of Israel 50 Lirot 1955 / 5715 Pick 28as Specimen PMG Very Fine 30 (estimate: $5,000+)