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INTERESTING NOTES IN WBNA SALE #54Consignment Director Ryan Baum of World Banknote Auctions sent along these highlights and comments on their upcoming World Currency Sale 54. Thanks. -Editor 
While we think of the Arabian Peninsula with its long and rich history, we often forget that it is relative recently that they developed their own currencies instead of relying on others. As part of this early transition Qatar and Dubai initially formed a joint currency board and their earliest notes are always in demand. We have several Color Trial Specimens from the first issue including this nice note: Qatar & Dubai ND (ca. 1960s) P-4cts PMG Choice UNC 63 25 Riyals (Color Trial Specimen) A Color Trial Specimen of Qatar and Dubai's 25 Riyals note, the key denomination of the series, and a classic Middle Eastern banknote. Following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain established various Protectorates in the Persian Gulf region. These political affiliations endured for decades until 1971, when the Emirates gained independence, ultimately forming the United Arab Emirates and issuing its inaugural banknotes in 1973. However, the earliest banknotes for what would become the UAE were introduced in Dubai in 1966, as it entered into a currency pact with Qatar. At that time, the circulating banknotes included Indian Rupees and Gulf Rupees, both printed in India. The currency amalgamation between Qatar and Dubai proved to be a triumph, with their banknotes circulating widely in both regions. This series encompassed denominations of 1 Riyal, 5 Riyals, 10 Riyals, 25 Riyals, 50 Riyals, and 100 Riyals, all produced by the British company Bradbury & Wilkinson. While all denominations featured the same design, they differed in color and increased in size with each denomination. The 25 Riyals note, vividly blue, measured approximately 140 x 70 millimeters. The front of the notes featured entirely Arabic text, including the serial numbers, while the back was in English, denoting the notes as issued by the Qatar & Dubai Currency Board. The final note was issued with a primary blue color and estimates indicate fewer than 1,600 notes remain outstanding. This Color Trial's primary color is green and affords a rare opportunity to acquire an early specimen of one of the Middle East's rarest notes. PMG mentions "Previously mounted".
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One note we enjoyed displaying at FUN and always mentioned to the children collectors who stopped by is a spectacular Brazilian note which features an image of a lion despite lions not roaming the western hemisphere since before the last ice age. Although this design was allegedly issued, only Specimens such as this note are available: Brazil, Banco de Credito Popular ND (1892) P-S553s PMG Gem UNC 65 EPQ 100 Mil Reis (Specimen) Counterfoil included. A beautiful note from Brazil where no lions roam. The spectacular image of the King of the Jungle was taken from American Banknote Company's stock engravings. This is the highest graded known note of this type in the PMG population report and a survey of auction records shows no fully printed specimens appearing at auction in recent memory. Printing records show that a single order of 100,000 notes was printed by the American Banknote Company in October of 1891. To the best of our knowledge no issued notes of this type have been seen.
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Although placed in our World Auction, the following note could just as easily be placed in a U.S. auction as the Danish West Indies were sold to the United States during World War I and are now know as the U.S. Virgin Islands. This incredible note was placed in circulation in 1850 and has survived in nearly uncirculated condition despite the tropical climate and its original thin paper. Danish West Indies 4.4.1849 P-5 PMG About UNC 55 EPQ 50 Dalere A fully issued rarity from the Danish West Indies (present-day US Virgin Islands). This series, which was printed on thin paper is typically seen incomplete, lacking most of the signatures and a handwritten date in order to be considered fully issued. This example, which is in fully original About Uncirculated condition has all signatures (six in total) and a handwritten date of 10 June 1850. As such, it was in fact issued into circulation in the Danish West Indies and is rare as such. This was the second highest denomination in the 1849 series that is printed in Danish on the front and English on the back. An important offering not to be underestimated, particularly at this grade level.
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A final note of interest is one that I must admit nearly slipped by me for significance. While we encounter German hyperinflation notes from 1922/23 quite frequently and view them as interesting pieces of history but fairly common, this note type is not. It was designed and printed prior to the full impact of the hyperinflation. Most were eventually overprinted with high values. This note is not and quite rare. Germany - Reich 1923 P-87 PMG Choice UNC 64 EPQ 5000 Mark (Unissued) A scarce type from Germany dating to the hyperinflation period. The value of the Reichsmark had plummeted by the time these rolled off of the press, and they were never released into circulation. Most were overprinted and later issued as a 500 Milliarden Mark banknote (Pick-124). Those without overprint are extremely scarce. An infrequently seen type and of utmost historical significance.
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THE BOOK BAZARREWayne 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: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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