World Currency Sale 39 Session 1
Live bidding on
Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM PST

World Currency Sale 39 Session 2 (Timed)
Bidding ends on
Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 3:00 PM PST

World Banknote Auctions has now launched World Currency Sale 39 at www.worldbanknoteauctions.com. World Currency Sale 39 takes place on February 23, 2023, with live bidding that day at 1 PM Eastern / 10 AM Pacific. Please note that World Currency Sale 39 is divided in two parts, each selling on a different day. The first live session with 573 lots takes place on February 23rd at 10 AM PST. The second session with 636 lots closes on February 26th at 3 PM PST (special bidding rules apply for the timed sale, please see our website for details). Our bidding platform can be accessed directly by going to bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com or through our mobile apps.

World Banknote Auctions will host sales with live internet bidding multiple times each month. Bidding for all items starts at just $10 and there is a buyer's premium of just 15% (with a minimum of $10 per lot), 25% less than the industry average. Shipping rates are flat for most items, with shipping within the United States for just $15 and overseas shipping at $30.

Lot 28: Bahamas 5 Pounds
Bahamas ND (1953) P-16c PMG Gem UNC 65 EPQ 5 Pounds

Wonderful Gem Uncirculated example from the Bahamas, seen here with the third signature combination but still with the A/1 prefix, which should give an indication just how few of this denomination were printed. This note represented a fairly large sum of money at the time of issue (it was the highest denomination in circulation at the time) so not only would this type have seen limited use for day-to-day transactions, it also meant that few contemporary collectors could afford to put one of these away when it was new. Vibrant colors, strong originality and above average examples are noteworthy aspects of this example, and there is nothing negative worth mentioning. An important opportunity for the Caribbean specialist not to be missed.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Bahamas ND (1953) P-16c PMG Gem UNC 65 EPQ 5 Pounds(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSNQ3/bahamas-nd-1953-p-16c-pmg-gem-unc-65-epq-5-pounds)

Lot 45: Belgium 1000 Francs
Belgium 1919 P-80 PMG About UNC 55 1000 Francs

A classic and extremely scarce type from Belgium that was first introduced in slightly modified form back in 1869. This is one of the last dates of the series (March 31st, 1919 is the last date reported) but it is seen here in absolutely fantastic condition for the type. A large format note printed on fairly thin and fragile paper, it is seldom seen above Fine. To find it in AU is nearly impossible until we saw this piece, which is fresh, has good color, is free of problems and displays beautifully. Stacquet - Van der Rest signature combination, 1,817,000 printed, and a major Belgian rarity not to be missed.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Belgium 1919 P-80 PMG About UNC 55 1000 Francs(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSNR1/belgium-1919-p-80-pmg-about-unc-55-1000-francs)

Lot 102: Bank of Nova Scotia 100 Dollars
Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia 2.1.1929 Ch. 550-28-40 PMG Choice Fine 15 100 Dollars

Rare Bank of Nova Scotia 1929 $100

The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in the early 1830s by a group of businessmen in Halifax. Initially quite small, over time it grew to become one of the largest and most important of the Eastern provincial banks. It continues to exist today and is one of the more important global banking organizations.

While it issued banknotes early on in its existence, it wasn't until the later years of the 19th century that the bank's output reached a considerable level. As most Canadian Chartered notes they were printed in a large format, and the design of the 1929 $100 offered here traces its roots back to an 1899 issue, with later dates printed of the same design. The 1929 date is the final date of this issue, with five total dates known (two of which can be found in institutional collections only) and it has typed signatures of J.A. McLeod and S.J. Moore.

The Canadian Note Registry, Volume 1 gives an overview of the known examples of this rare high denomination. Ten notes are listed, of which one is in the National Currency Collection in Ottawa and another has not been seen since a 1958 CNA sale.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia 2.1.1929 Ch. 550-28-40 PMG Choice Fine 15 100 Dollars(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSNU7/canada-bank-of-nova-scotia-211929-ch-550-28-40-pmg-choice-fine-15-100-dollars)

Lot 126: China, People's Republic 50 Yuan
China, People's Republic 1949 P-829b PMG Gem UNC 65 EPQ 50 Yuan

Gem Uncirculated notes from the first series of the People's Republic of China banknotes are highly sought after by advanced collectors. Original Gems are rare due to low print quality and heavy circulation, making this example even more exceptional. The note is as fresh and vibrant as it was when printed, with original paper and impressive eye-appeal. Despite a few finer pieces, it is rare to find notes at this grade or higher for sale, making this an important opportunity for Chinese specialists.

To read the complete lot description, see:
China, People's Republic 1949 P-829b PMG Gem UNC 65 EPQ 50 Yuan(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSNVJ/china-peoples-republic-1949-p-829b-pmg-gem-unc-65-epq-50-yuan)

Lot 161: Cyprus 5 Pounds
Cyprus 1.3.1960 P-36a PMG About UNC 53 5 Pounds

Iconic 1960 5 Pounds from Cyprus

A scarce type in better grades, this is the highest denomination from a fairly short-lived Cypriot series with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth, which circulated prior to the country achieving its independence from Great Britain. What makes this particular example particularly rare is that it is an example with the very last date of issue, dated mere months before the country became independent in August of 1960.

Even though 250,000 notes with this date were printed, it is believed that none were issued for circulation and virtually the entire print run was destroyed. A small group (ten pieces perhaps) was put aside by the commissioner of currency (Christakis Stephani) as a memento. Needless the say, any example of this extremely rare date is seldom encountered, and it is one of the key pieces in a 20th century Cypriot collection.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Cyprus 1.3.1960 P-36a PMG About UNC 53 5 Pounds(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSNXH/cyprus-131960-p-36a-pmg-about-unc-53-5-pounds)

Lot 216: Finland 1000 Markkaa
Finland 1918 P-41 PMG Choice UNC 64 EPQ 1000 Markkaa

A fantastic high denomination type from Finland, seen here in original choice uncirculated condition. The paper is original and the eye-appeal is remarkable, with vivid colors and crisp details. Not often encountered in higher grades, this is the first example we have offered of this type, and it would make for a welcome addition to a collection of high denomination types from Europe. Except for some trivial handling that is only revealed upon close inspection this note faces up like a Gem.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Finland 1918 P-41 PMG Choice UNC 64 EPQ 1000 Markkaa(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSO0J/finland-1918-p-41-pmg-choice-unc-64-epq-1000-markkaa)

Lot 292: Iraq 1 Dinar
Iraq 1931 (ND 1941) P-15 PMG Choice Very Fine 35 1 Dinar

E/7 prefix. An iconic India print 1 Dinar, presented here in pleasing circulated condition, free of problems. Similar in design to the regular issues by Bradbury & Wilkinson & Co, it was printed by the Nasik Security Printing Press in India during World War II, when European shipping routes were disrupted. Although the design was copied from the original plates in England, it has a distinct appearance due to different printing methods. India print notes for Iraq are limited to lower denominations, with this 1 Dinar being the highest denomination printed in India during the War. The supply of higher denominations was sufficient for Iraq's everyday commerce during the War, making all denominations scarce. The 1/2 Dinar is a major rarity, and the 1/4 Dinar and 1 Dinar are scarce in problem-free circulated grades. This particular note is one of the finest we have seen and entirely problem-free, making it a valuable addition to any advanced Iraqi collection

To read the complete lot description, see:
Iraq 1931 (ND 1941) P-15 PMG Choice Very Fine 35 1 Dinar(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSO4R/iraq-1931-nd-1941-p-15-pmg-choice-very-fine-35-1-dinar)

Lot 342: Lebanon 1 Livre
Lebanon 1945 P-48 PMG Gem UNC 66 EPQ 1 Livre

The single finest example of this important type from Lebanon. Printed in the French style with lovely pastel colors, it should not come as a surprise that the eye-appeal of this example is excellent. Despite it being a relatively low denomination, it is very scarce in the best of grades, and any uncirculated example is a rarity. With this particular example sitting alone at the top of the population report we expect spirited bidding from Middle Eastern and French Colonial collectors alike.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Lebanon 1945 P-48 PMG Gem UNC 66 EPQ 1 Livre(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSO7J/lebanon-1945-p-48-pmg-gem-unc-66-epq-1-livre)

Lot 515: Sweden 10,000 Kronor
Sweden 1958 P-49 PMG About UNC 53 EPQ 10,000 Kronor

The circulating Swedish currency in the 1950s consisted of banknotes ranging from 5 Kronor to 1,000 Kronor, plus a limited number of 10,000 Kronor banknotes, mostly reserved for interbank and unusually high value transactions. Its enormous face value was made evident by the large size of the note, which also meant that most were folded mere seconds after being put in circulation. While this particular example does show some folds it has retained its full originality, and the eye-appeal is excellent. The folds barely go through the main design elements, and the overall eye-appeal is exceptional. By far the nicest example of this type we have handled and a welcome addition to any advanced Scandinavian collection.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Sweden 1958 P-49 PMG About UNC 53 EPQ 10,000 Kronor(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSOH7/sweden-1958-p-49-pmg-about-unc-53-epq-10-000-kronor)

Lot 569: Western Samoa Five Pounds
Western Samoa 10.12.1958 P-9Ac PMG Very Fine 20 5 Pounds

A fantastic rarity from Western Samoa and one of the key notes for the entire Pacific Island region. The 5 Pound from Western Samoa, in its various iterations, has always been considered a classic rarity in world banknotes. Seldom offered for sale in any grade, the only example of this type that is sometimes encountered is Pick-12, which is this design overprinted "Bank of Western Samoa" in red. When we say "sometimes encountered" that's a comment to be applied loosely, as we can exactly count two sales at public auction in the past decade.

This is one of the later dates of this design, which was first introduced back in the early 1920s, and was printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co in Great Britain. Samoa was under New Zealand rule starting in 1914, but even with the administration located relatively close by, the Polynesian islands that make up the nation are in a far flung corner of the world. Needless to say, 5 Pounds was a tremendous sum of money at the time, and the issuance of this type was extremely limited

To read the complete lot description, see:
Western Samoa 10.12.1958 P-9Ac PMG Very Fine 20 5 Pounds(https://bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com/lots/view/4-8SSOK7/western-samoa-10121958-p-9ac-pmg-very-fine-20-5-pounds)