Stack's Bowers Currency Specialist Aris Maragoudakis published a blog article on June 15, 2016 about a rare South Viet Nam banknote.
-Editor
Our upcoming Hong Kong Auction will feature one of the most sought after pieces in World Currency collecting. Stack’s Bowers is pleased
to offer the South Viet Nam P-4Ap 1000 Dong Proof for the first time in our history. This note is at the top of every serious collector’s
list for multiple reasons: its beauty, design, scarcity and interesting history, as well as the high denomination and the degree of
difficulty of obtaining an example, especially a gem.
This note was proposed to the government after the Thomas De La Rue Company was commissioned to create a piece that represented the
essence of South Viet Nam. The Old Man was printed to signify dedication and longevity, while he stared at the temple that represented the
religious sentiment of the region. On the reverse a stunning woman offers an aura equal to that of the Mona Lisa. The background displays a
boat on a lake with a mountainous landscape -- a symbol of the beauty of the area. TDLR produced a few test creations and ultimately the
proposed design on the featured note was chosen. Sadly, while this design was approved through the Proof and Specimen stages, it was never
issued, most likely due to the war. It is only available as a Proof, or a Specimen. There are fewer Proofs available than Specimens,
however Proof examples lack the unique watermark of the old man that when held to the light, is staring at the woman.
The note will be offered in our live session of the Hong Kong Paper Money Sale in August.
The auction lots aren't online yet - I was hoping to see higher-resolution photos. It is a nice note. -Editor
Howard Daniel adds:
The note will likely get bids over US$10,000 and maybe close to double that.
To read the complete article, see:
The Old Man at the Temple - The Holy Grail of World Currency
(www.stacksbowers.com/News/Pages/Blogs.aspx?ArticleID=2130)
Wayne Homren, Editor
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