PREV ARTICLE
NEXT ARTICLE
FULL ISSUE
PREV FULL ISSUE
HERITAGE: OCTOBER 2025 WORLD PAPER MONEYHeritage Auctions will be hosting their World Paper Money Signature Auction on October 16. Select items from the Curators' Picks are discussed below. -Garrett 
Belgian Congo Banque du Congo Belge, Kinshasa 1000 Francs 3.11.1920 Pick 12b PMG Extremely Fine 40. Belgian Congo banknotes have always appealed to collectors worldwide, due to their incredible designs, tropical locale, and rarity in the best of collector grades. This 1000 Francs was the highest denomination of the first full series of banknotes printed for and issued in the Belgian Congo, which includes notes from 5 Francs to 1000 Francs. At the time of cataloging, this is one of only two Kinshasa-issue 1000 Francs of this type graded in the PMG Population Report. Additionally, PMG has not graded any 1000 Francs of this design from any other city of issue. Extremely rare, as print totals were small and only a few exist to be collected today. Brief circulation, a minor corner stain, small tears, and pinholes are mentioned for accuracy. A design virtually unseen and type note definitely missing from nearly all collections.
To read the complete item description, see:
Finland Finlands Bank 500 Markkaa 1878 Pick A45b PMG Very Fine 25. A gigantic and very rare banknote from the 19th-century, and a type virtually unseen today. At the time of writing, PMG has graded a mere two examples of this variety, which was printed in Helsinki, as evidenced by the serial number within the range 079,001 and 150,400. PMG mentions minor margin trimming and an internal split. We have not offered this type in the past and it is one of the key Finnish banknotes of the Grand Duchy era. The purchasing power of this denomination was enormous, hence print totals were relatively small and most were redeemed a century ago.
To read the complete item description, see:
Serial Number 1 South Africa Gouvernements Noot, Pretoria 5 Pounds 28.5.1900 Pick 55a PMG About Uncirculated 53. The first £5 note from the Second Anglo-Boer War issued in Pretoria. This is the first variety of the type, with rosette design under denomination and "No" before the serial number. Simply incredible with this serial number. Minor edge toning is mentioned for accuracy. Exceptional as offered. Historic and important.
To read the complete item description, see:
Egypt National Bank of Egypt 1 Pound 5.1.1899 Pick 2b PMG Choice Very Fine 35. The National Bank of Egypt's first series of banknotes were issued bearing an 1899 date. The first two denominations of the series are rare in issued form, but can be found infrequently. All denominations higher than 1 Pound are either exceedingly rare in issued form, or only known in Specimen or Proof formats. This impressive and beautiful 1 Pound features the famous Camels engraving on the front. At the time of cataloging, this is the single finest example in the PMG Population Report of only 23 notes present in the census. The stamped Rowlatt signature remains clear, and all other details are bold and bright. A small ink stamp is mentioned for accuracy. Extremely rare in such an outstanding grade with such good eye appeal.
To read the complete item description, see:
Suriname General Netherlands Society 1/2 Gulden 1.10.1826 Pick 1 PLS3.1a PMG About Uncirculated 50. An almost improbable banknote issued by the General Netherlands Society. This issuer was active in Suriname from 1826 until 1829, at which time it was replaced by the Suriname-West Indian Bank. At the time of cataloging, this 1/2 Gulden is the first and only example graded in the PMG Population Report. Notice the red Stamp "SURINAME" at front. A small serial number for block 18 is mentioned. Stamped and written notations on the back add character to an already fascinating and exotic note from the 1820s. Previously mounted but removed cleanly. An important South American, Dutch Colonial, and 19th-century note that is unique or extremely rare. Worthy of serious consideration. From The Verkooijen Collection
To read the complete item description, see:
Zanzibar Zanzibar Government 10 Rupees 1.1.1908 Pick 3 PMG Very Fine 20 Net. Paper currency of the Zanzibar Government remains among the most desirable of all World Paper Money. This 10 Rupees is the third denomination of the series, issued between 1908 and December 31st, 1935. On New Years Day of 1936, Zanzibar notes were replaced by East African Currency Board notes, and gradually these beautiful notes were withdrawn from circulation. All denominations have the same design elements and different sizes and colors. PMG mentions restoration on this otherwise pleasant example, which features completely visible details on the front and a comparatively unblemished reverse. To date, PMG has graded only ten examples of this denomination, across the three known dates: 1908, 1916, and 1928. Very rare, incredibly popular, and seldom offered.
To read the complete item description, see:
Ceylon / Netherlands Indies United East India Company 5 Rijksdaalders, Kolumbo 17.9.1795 Pick UNL PLCE2.1.a4 PMG Very Fine 30 Net. An imposing and very rare relic from Dutch Rule in Ceylon. This enormous Letter of Credit note displays Dutch, Sinhala, and Tamil texts at front. An almost overwhelming amount of written text, written in numerous languages, shows a detailed ledger of interest collecting activity that extends into the 20th-century. After its lengthy service was concluded, this gigantic note was cancelled on both sides in black. This example features the final date of series and was printed without folio letters. The extra side half was never detached. Tears and stains are mentioned for accuracy. An incredible offering from the 18th-century. Outstanding and extremely rare. From The Verkooijen Collection
To read the complete item description, see:
Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: Subscribe All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
|