ColonialCoinsUK

Very good question . The position of the cut through the vertical 'Banco Colombiano' does vary suggesting there was a counterfoil and they were cut as needed. Similar issues in my collection  (e.g. Banco Pamplona) also vary with the position of the cut and it is only remainders/specimens that I have seen which are intact (e.g. Banco Maua & Cia, Banco Internacional) which suggests that the elusive 'cancelled' late S/Ns and/or the Specimens may still have the counterfoil attached. The only notes with EPQ are the 65's and 66's.

An interesting Mexican note - which reminds me that I haven't completed this set and I don't have a 50 centavos example

I do have a couple of 10 pesos examples - one with only two printed signatures and one with two printed and two handwritten, as your note has. One has the stamp on the back and one does not. So it would appear that most combinations are known. Some even have a second set of vertical serial numbers.

Great update - there seems to be alot of modern specimen notes (and proofs/trials etc) around at the moment so it wouldn't surprise me if some dealers/collectors have started to add these. High grade issued notes, particularly already graded examples, seem to be much more difficult to find even for ones that are only a few years old.

It is not just modern notes which are attracting high prices. Stack's Bowers have just had (14th August) a spectacular collection of Latin American notes up for auction including quite a few notes which are unrecorded and/or are the only known example. It just means my 'Impossible Set' is well-named and some people have more money than senseHaving said that quite a few didn't sell as the starting prices were very high,  of the 8 lots that I thought may be possible, 2 went for amazing prices, 2 went for high prices and 4 didn't sell so it will be no surprise that I came away with nothing.

I had asked PMG about BB numbers and they said they are looking into it - they already use specialist catalogue numbers for some countries in addition to Pick numbers so it shouldn't be that difficult to do(?). As you say Pick numbers for new issues is a major problem, not to mention all the errors and incomplete data for earlier issues means that they will probably have to use the Banknote Book at some point, not perfect either but much much better.

Now that your Ukraine collection is very well advanced, and to keep adding things, you just need to include all the former Soviet states, the balkans etc etc

On 8/6/2023 at 1:29 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Here is an example of U.S. depression scrip from my collection and why "stickers" came to mind as an option, I don't know if the stamps were, gummed (lick-it-and-stick-it), self-adhesive, or if they were glued on, but this example being issued after 1932 ('33) seems to fall in line with '32 as being a starting point for their use. I would assume they were gummed, similar to a postage stamp, as that technology has been in use prior to 1932.

Very impressive example -  by far the most 'stamps' I have ever seen!

I wonder how PMG would grade that and do you get bonus points for each stamp

On 8/6/2023 at 1:53 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

The biggest addition to my very small collection of Mexican notes is this 1950, 5 pesos uniface proof of the face. I always wanted a 5 pesos "gypsy' note, and although they are readily available for little money I wanted something with impact, a story to tell, and I've been dragging my feet for several years on picking up an example. I came across this piece and it was love at first sight, but I held my ground and bartered a little with the seller and got the price down to a level where I just couldn't pass this up. Maybe one day I'll come across a back proof but the face is the more desirable side IMO, I'm not at all disappointed that I don't have a pair and I love this note!

Amazing proof - beautiful image of Gloria Faure, who wasn't even Mexican! If you haven't already seen it, a Coinweek article from 2014:-

https://coinweek.com/mexican-banknotes-two-mexican-women-lady-reputation-beauty-queen

I am still amazed that trying to collect all the Series and dates for these Mexican issues is popular. As you have the front proof for Series CA p34l/M4637Ad you probably have one that most people are not even aware of - it will need a big holder . From the many millions that were printed it looks like I don't even have a single example, I think everyone should have at least a basic denomination set so that is something else to add to the 'to-do-list'

On 8/6/2023 at 1:39 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Yes, my scanner became quite ill when I tried to scan the 2021, 50 pesos note.   Oddly enough it did not have any issues with the 2020, 100 pesos note. 

When the scanner fails me I take the best image I can get of the note using my camera, but more often than not the sellers images are superior and I go with those. I haven't research a way around the anti-scanning features yet.

I do have a number of the most recent issues - some of which scan and some don't but then I seem to be missing an example of the 2020 100 pesos note so I have to resort to taking a picture with my phone!

On 8/5/2023 at 11:14 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Interesting note, reminds me of some of the U.S. depression scrip issued by local cities. Did they punch each square, stamp, place a sticker when redeemed?

I have recently picked up some modern Mexican notes over the last month, but I haven't had the opportunity to post them yet. More later... 

They appear to have been stamped, or initialled/dated, as they were redeemed, I expect punch holes would have made the note increasing fragile over time. Having just ordered more self-adhesive printer labels I hadn't considered stickers - a quick google search suggests 1932 was the start point for such things - they could glue things like stamps though.

Some of my modern Mexican notes have security features which means that they will not scan . It would good to see what has made it into your collection and whether you have had to deal with this and how??

On 8/5/2023 at 11:08 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Besides local issues, government issues and contemporary counterfeits, were there "propaganda" notes circulating as well? Notes with derogatory overprint, caricatures, or "fantasy" notes? I'm thinking during the Revolution. 

Very good questions - my first thought was the later French Revolution issues.

For the Mexican Revolution there were certainly contemporary counterfeits, particularly of the larger, more widespread issues. I can't think of any 'propaganda' notes but that doesn't mean there weren't any . Most 'notes' were text based, had portraits of historical or allegorical figures rather than the various leaders of the different factions, or symbols relating to Mexico and/or the State or City where they were produced, all of which, I suppose, would have made 'modification' difficult. As control of territory changed most notes just became worthless or were re-validated by adding a stamp or overprint - there are lots of stamps/overprints and many notes have several. There are a few advertising notes issued by various companies that looked like currency but were not.

I will have to keep a look out now!

Sounds like interesting developments with the Ukraine currency - anyone taking bets on the first Million Hyrven note?

There are lots of Latin American notes of the same period with coupons attached or, as in the Brazilian example below - covering the entire back of the note!

They seem to have been very literal when naming many private banks e.g. the State or City, the major shareholder or the reason for establishing the bank in the first place, as a result I love it that this note was issued by the Coffee Bank

Great notes and progress on your set

Very intricate designs - I wonder how many times that was done before they got it right

On 7/7/2023 at 12:35 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

I think they specialize in specimens, proofs, etc., I saw those Czech specimens and they were awesome! The seller also listed a ton of Yugoslavia, Georgian, and specimens from many other countries recently. It's been pretty amazing to see all these notes.

So the question is are they keeping the best of everything for their own collection? If they are it must be fantastic

On 7/5/2023 at 10:45 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

They are going to be more of a side project. I was thinking of starting with the Internment Camp notes, Noonans had a few for sale recently, either those or ease in with some moderns.

 https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/calendar/695/catalogue/?keywords=isle+of+man&x=0&y=0 

I have a set of Onchan tokens some where - hadn't even considered notes

On 7/4/2023 at 1:55 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

I'd love to know the answer to this question! The seller seemingly has an inexhaustible supply of great material, especially specimens, and just keeps listing notes from many, many countries. I've reached out to them on a item, hopefully we can work a deal. I might put together a wish list and see what they can do.  monalisa-money-mondo ,They deal almost exclusively on ebay but do have a website you can go through as well.

Same dealer for the quality and rare Latin American notes that have been appearing recently.

So, and this is completely in the realm of fantasy and guesswork, but for the older notes I guess Canadians have quietly been big collectors of world notes over the years and some long-standing collections are now appearing on the market????  Plus there doesn't seem to be many specialist Canadian auctions and that probably just leaves direct sale to a dealer for many people???

On 7/4/2023 at 1:55 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

It's never easy to watch a great note pass by but the note will resurface eventually, or another will come up. The big questions are when? and will I live long enough to see the note again?  

That's what I tell myself, but seeing what the very rare Latin American notes went for at the cgb sale yesterday  I may just have to settle for the good picture (I was hoping to get at least one of the nine but wasn't even remotely close but then the estimates from cgb weren't either  Once graded I wouldn't be surprised to see some of them appear in a Platinum night at Heritage as the only known example)

On 7/4/2023 at 1:59 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Ah, yes it does. I hadn't noticed. I've been looking at some notes from the Isle of Man and they are somewhat similar. I haven't pulled the trigger on any IoM paper yet, there is a book on IoM notes by Pam West I've been waiting to pick that up before I start really looking at these notes. 

Always good to get the book - if there is one

For the IoM, they don't seem to appear very often at auction here so I expect the earlier notes and the larger denominations will be a bit of a challenge - go for it

For modern notes there are some really strong prices there

Any idea how many 'color trials' etc would be produced for a new issue? Assuming they are all in good condition and end up in holders would there be enough for all the Ukraine collectors out there? and the key question is 'how is the seller getting the ungraded notes and can I get some the same way????'

I find myself in a similar position in that there has been quite a few fantastic Latin American notes appear on Ebay recently which have attracted very high bids, about 3 or 4x what I would have expected as a top estimate. Although at >100 years old there probably can't be many more at that quality in existence and some buyers are digging very deep just in case they are the only examples at that level. I just tell myself there must be more and they will be better value next time

On 7/3/2023 at 3:00 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

I love that 20 Sucres note! I like it as much as the Baz un peso and almost as much as the un peso from Durango. It appears I have a type. 

I was drawn to the back of the note given the intricate surround and that the sea looks a bit rough, plus it is very easy to get hold of one in good grade as it looks like notes for the bank were never issued.

At one point I did think that a collection consisting of all the notes depicting Columbus would be interesting but there are far too many - he does change outfits and hats quite a bit but he seems to be a popular chap for featuring on banknotes

I like the note from the British Guiana Bank as, at first glance, it looks like an English note yet it is in dollars and not pounds meaning you have to look closer and actually read the text - or is that just me

As the recognised expert in the field of Ukranian notes PMG should probably go with your designations - even checking attributions from other submissions with you

I would think they are uniface 'proofs' although 'colour trials' would not be unreasonable and PMG would be able to match colours or not. It still amazes me, unlike for coins, that it is relatively easy to find unrecorded dates, varieties etc for banknotes - ideal way of spending long summer days when praying for rain doesn't seem to work

Abkhazia - I had to look that one up! Nice note and appears to have lots of historical references that, at the moment I could only guess at

On 6/15/2023 at 4:34 AM, Iowa Silver Baron Bammer said:

However, I really like the blue ink on the reverse, it seems to bring a subtle toning down of the whole note. I still like ABNC's work, and this note does show it off.

I agree, the blue back was one of the things that attracted me to this note as 'blue' notes do not seem to be very common at all with ABNC preferring yellow and green as the major colours. There are not many 'red' notes around either - now I have to see how many there actually are

Great result!

Given the lack of decent references for many/most countries it wouldn't surprise me if most dealers do not realise how rare all sorts of notes are. It is relatively easy to still make new discoveries even for well documented countries like Mexico.You now need to find some more, then publish the book, and only then sell your collection.

Are there old family collections of Czech banknotes anywhere? If so, it would be fascinating to discover what does still exist, or not - no doubt a project for several lifetimes.

On 5/28/2023 at 3:12 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

The Lady Lavery notes always seemed over priced and over hyped to me. An interesting story but not a design I would consider overly attractive as a whole. The Durango note blows it away actually. 

I agree, I much prefer the earlier ABNC notes as they couple more ornate designs with interesting vignettes. Plus they tend to be different for each denomination and am still amazed at the skills needed to produce them. For info - the farming scene on the 10 pesos note is not mechanised though, a bit like the Irish Ploughman notes (which command very high prices  )

Having said that, I like concept of the River Gods and thought I would try and get the set at some point if I ever managed to fish all the rivers - would only be 2 at the moment so need to visit Ireland much more

Definitely a condition rarity, for any denomination from the bank, where all the notes I have a record of top out at low VF with most below that.

I don't think it is restricted to Guatemalan notes at all as it seems to be the case for anywhere in Latin America (and no doubt the rest of the world and even more so for British colonial notes ). Prices for earlier notes from Venezuela and Costa Rica are attracting very high prices, particularly quality examples, and the recent flurry of Panama notes at major auctions seems to have doubled or tripled the usual price range.

To be fair some of the examples do not appear very often at all, and coupled with impressive grades, I wouldn't be surprised if they are the sole surviving examples at this level. So for major collectors it is probably now or never to fill that gap in the collection!

The NBU are just trying to see if you can keep up

I couldn't cope with a moving end date due to new issues, which is probably why the periods my coin and note collections cover have a known start and finish date - the bit in between can be a bit variable though

There does seem to be a lot of 'commemorative' notes in the list but at least you know who the signatures belong to - for the early Latin American notes it wouldn't surprise me if more than half of the signatories remain to be identified, and even then some are just a name only In a moment of madness I even asked ChatGPT - it didn't understand the questions!

Great summary    Rare notes from anywhere in the world seem to be appearing all over the place at the moment - most also seem to be recently graded given the QR code on the back of the holders and, as you have highlighted, are attracting very high prices.

Even though I have no chance of ever owning most of these notes I think the auction appearances are invaluable in confirming that some of them do actually exist  An added bonus is there is now a decent image of the note with legible dates, S/Ns and signatures etc, this does make research a bit easier and, if they are graded, even more so.

I like the 'Printer's Design'

@VE CoinsAll Czechoslovakia notes, most of them are early notes that you just don't see come up for sale graded often, and when they do they are usually buy it now for way too much.

Same here, just not for Czechoslovakia!

I like the 50 Korun note and the Croatian one - a specific person?

Sounds like the definitive reference set needs putting together for the whole region

No idea what you are all talking about

On 4/4/2023 at 12:14 PM, Fenntucky Mike said:

Amazing notes! I particularly like the look of the 1 peso, the engraving and print quality may not be on par with some of the others but it is nonetheless esthetically pleasing, and that bold red stamp.  Looks like it was printed on some low quality or thin paper, like many of the notes printed by the "wildcat" banks of the U.S. in the mid 1800's. Was that note printed locally?

Gustavo Baz seems to have been an interesting character. Unlike the merchants who had notes printed professionally overseas these notes were printed locally at the Boys’ School of Arts and Crafts (Escuela de Artes y Oficios para Varones) with some supervision to ensure quality and control of production. In addition to the 1 peso notes I seem to have some bulk lots of the 20c and 50c notes which has certainly helped in working out what is going on - still plenty of gaps though

https://papermoneyofmexico.com/index.php/history/estado-mexico/baz

On 4/4/2023 at 6:51 PM, VE Coins said:

Great looking notes added to your collection. I like the 20 cent note and it kind of reminds me of notgeld notes. Very cool.

The artwork on quite a few Revolution issues is quite basic, particularly those rapidly produced for immediate use as the fortunes of the various factions changed almost weekly. As soon as a town was occupied I just imagine the local commander asking the troops for someone who can draw so they can then pay themselves in new notes

@Fenntucky Mike great notes and grades, nice range of colours too!The Privatisation Certificate is impressive.

This post reminds me that I have enough 'modern' notes to send for grading, as the Pick number often covers a number of different dates/series etc I find the Population Report is, at best, only a rough guide to the rarity of some issues and some notes from the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's are surprisingly difficult to find.

I also have a few, already graded, notes where the designation on the label needs correcting