This November in Baltimore, at Stack’s Bowers official world paper money auction at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, they are offering one of the finest PMG-graded 1000 Franc notes from Tahiti’s Bank of Indochina. Of the 10 they have graded 66, this is the only one that has received the Star designation that indicates exceptional quality for the grade. Our guess is the wide margins, embossing, and flawless paper are the driving forces behind the superior grade. The note features the word SPECIMEN printed in a black overprint diagonally on the top left of the note, while a perforated form of the word exists vertically on the ride margin.
The note bears motifs of the indigenous people of Tahiti. To the right on the front of the note, a women sits with pots on the ground around her, hands on her knee, and breasts exposed. On the left side, women are seen caring for children, carrying pots, and looking toward the viewer, while camels can be seen in the background. The back of the note features a woman carrying a basket over her head, while the man to the right holds a spear. They appear to be in a village with the ocean and mountains in view behind them. The watermark features a beautiful woman’s head, adorned with a crown made of flowers.
The note carries an estimate of $800-$1,200 and is offered as lot 50083 in their live world paper money session of the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, November 5-6.
View and bid on all lots in the November 2015 Baltimore Auction online at StacksBowers.com