STACK'S BOWERS SPRING 2025 MAASTRICHT SALE

Our Maastricht sale is now posted online, and printed catalogs are due to be mailed out shortly. This is a true collectors' sale, featuring an excellent selection of notes from around the world that ranges from modern high denominations to classic types in circulated grades. In this blog, we will take an in-depth look at the notes in the sale, which encompasses a traditional session on Thursday, May 9, and an internet-only session of the Windsor Collection of QE II paper money on Friday, May 10. All lots are available for viewing and presale bidding at StacksBowers.com.

First we will take a look at Bermuda. A popular collecting locale, the section is highlighted by the first offering of a ‘brown' 1941 5 Pounds, Pick-12, graded PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 by PMG, offered in lot 50040. This extremely short-lived issue confused the general public as the 5 Shillings also was brown. After a very limited issuance, it was withdrawn and replaced by an orange-colored version of the same design. Another highlight is lot 50048, the popular 1964 10 Pounds (Pick-22) in top grade, graded Superb Gem UNC 68 OPB by PCGS. This type was the highest denomination issued before the introduction of the Bermuda Dollar and the offered note features a desirable low 3-digit serial number. The final two lots of Bermuda we will take a closer look at are lots 50044 and 50045. Both are 1966 1 Pound notes, Pick-20d, graded Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ. What makes these notes special are the solid serial numbers (5 and 8). Because of limited quantities printed (and the fact that the prefix changed every 100,000 notes), just 11 different prefixes are possible for this date. Two of them are offered in the sale, a tremendous opportunity for Bermuda or serial number specialists.

Lot 50040

Lot 50048

Lot 50044

Lot 50045

Among other highlights from the Americas is one of your author's favorite notes of the sale found in lot 50058. Dated 1928, this 2 Dollars from British Honduras (Pick-15) is graded Choice Very Fine 35 EPQ by PMG. A deceptively difficult type in any grade, finding it awarded with ‘Exceptional Paper Quality' is highly unusual. As one can expect, locating notes such as this in totally original condition is exceptionally challenging, and we expect spirited bidding for this example. Collectors of rarities will take note of lot 50446, a 1908 10 Pesos from Nicaragua, graded Choice Fine 15 by PMG. We have only offered this type once before, in well-circulated grade with myriad problems, but this is an evenly circulated, problem-free example of a type surely missing from even the most advanced collections of the country. Finally, for collectors of iconic world notes, there is a pair of Mona Lisa notes from Costa Rica, offered in lots 50098 and 50099, which are highlights of a robust Costa Rican section. The first is graded Choice Uncirculated 64 by PMG, while the second is graded Choice About Uncirculated 58 EPQ by PMG.

Lot 50058

Lot 50098

Lot 50099

The sale has numerous advanced collections including the Damian Collection of Romania, (discussed in a previous blog). There is also an advanced collection from the Isle of Man, including lot 50328, a rare 1 Pound remainder from the Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank Limited, of which few notes are known to have survived. We also offer a select group of high-grade notes from the Italy Family Collection, including lot 50343, an attractive example of a 1960 Italy 5000 Lire (Pick-85c), graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ, perfect for an advanced type set. A dedicated session will take place the day after our main sale, where we offer the Windsor Collection of QEII Paper Money. Finally, this sale offers another installment of the Al Kugel Collection. Highlights include an advanced collection of Danzig, a small but select group of Russian notes, two more notes of what is arguably the best collection of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in China ever assembled, and four unissued notes from Egypt and Sudan printed for the Italian Occupation of those countries, also covered in a previous blog.

Lot 50328

Lot 50343

Finally, a few notes are worth mentioning because of how infrequently they are offered. Lot 50225 is a PCGS Gem Uncirculated 66 PPQ 50 Deutsche Mark from the German Federal Republic issued during currency reform in 1948 (Pick-10a), a key type from post-World War II Germany that is seldom offered in any grade. For collectors of India, lot 50262 presents a 1 Gold Mohur issued by the Bank of Bengal in 1816 (Pick-S24b) graded Very Fine 20 by PMG. While cancelled, it is noteworthy for not being severed and repaired, unlike virtually all examples we have seen. Finally, a mention needs to be made of lot 50612, a 1937 $100 issued by Barclays Bank (D.C.O) in Trinidad & Tobago graded Very Fine 25 by PMG. While this type is sometimes seen, this is the first time we have seen this date, which had a minuscule printing of just 1,500 notes.

Lot 50225

Lot 50262

Lot 50612

With our preparations for the Spring 2025 Maastricht World Paper Money catalog completed, we are accepting consignments for future sales. We have been working hard to make sure that our auctions are the most collector-driven in the marketplace, assuring both stellar results for consignors and opportunities for buyers to acquire the notes they are looking for. Along with an ever-increasing client list and global news coverage attracted by our sales of the L. E. Bruun Collection, now could be the right time to sell your entire collection or duplicate pieces. To start the consignment process, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dennis Hengeveld at Dennis@stacksbowers.com or call 800-458-4646.

To read the complete article, see:
An In-Depth Look at the Upcoming Maastricht Sale (https://stacksbowers.com/an-in-depth-look-at-the-upcoming-maastricht-sale/)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web