World notes are something I love to dive into as much as I do in US banknotes. This year there were some very good offers in the FUN auction. Some really good prices have been fetched in a variety of countries. There have been a few tenders to be sure. The following five lots caught my interest when I looked at the offer.
Alaskan parchment paper Russian-American company ND (1816-1867) 25 rubles
The first, lot 28459, was a Russian-American company ND (1816-1867) valued at 25 rubles, valued at $ 80,000 and fetching $ 192,000. It is rated About Uncirculated 55 by PMG. On the back of the Alaskan parchment is the second variant of the imperial coat of arms with six regional coats of arms in the emblem.
Spain Banco de Espana 1880 500 pesetas
Many notes from Spain were offered and the two that piqued my interest were lot 29033 and 29072. They are very timely but very different in their presentation. Lot 29072, a Spanish Banco de Espana 500 Pesetas dated April 1, 1880, valued by PMG Very Fine 25, was valued at USD 24,000 – and realized USD 38,400. This note bears the portrait of the painter Claudio Coello on the left. The face colors are chestnut and ocher on white paper. The watermark is the name.
Spain Banco de Espana 1876 1000 pesetas
Lot 29033, also issued by the Banco de Espana, was a PMG Choice Fine 15 with a valuation of 1000 pesetas (1.7.1876). The note printed by ABNC is said to have been published in 1883 at the earliest and shows Lope de Vega on the left, a Spaniard with an Indian virgin in the middle and Liberty in the lower right. The back vignettes show allegorical women on the left and right, two allegorical women in the middle. The face is multicolored black and the back is brown.
Egypt 1915 50 piasters
Next I moved geographically to Egypt and became interested in Lot 28210. A 50-piastres note from the National Bank of Egypt dated September 16, 1915, graded by PMG via Uncirculated 55. Estimated at $ 4,000 – the note fetched $ 12,000 at auction. The condition of the note and its attractiveness are undoubtedly driving factors. On the front of the banknote is the Spinx on the left and the denomination on the back. On the underside is the printer Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, London.
Kingdom of Persia, Imperial Bank ND (1890-1923) 2 Tomans
The last item I followed, Lot 28315, was an Iranian Kingdom of Persia, Imperial Bank ND (1890-1923) 2 Tomans Note. Rated PMG via Uncirculated 53 Net, the premium grade is valued at $ 2,500 – sells for $ 6,600. The note has a portrait of Nasr-ed-Din on the right and a lion on the left. The back has a lion in the middle.
Some really great banknotes were auctioned last year. For me, it’s always fun looking at both the value notes and the unique and hard-to-find notes in their respective regions. I look forward to seeing what’s on offer in the April World Paper Money Fair Auction.
To see more of this auction, please visit ha.com. All images courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
