Coins, Banknotes and Medallions

An extremely rare Isle of Man Government partial banknote die proof engraver's test strike for the obverse of a twenty pounds note, in striking red/orange with triskelion to centre and portrait vignette of Queen Elizabeth II to right side, values to opposing top and bottom corners, together with a die proof engraver's test strike vignette of Queen Elizabeth, as used on the aforementioned note, in a colour trial change of brown/black, part-mounted on paper with cut frames (both extremely fine). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A rare Central Bank of Ireland banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignette of William Butler Yeats, as used for twenty pounds notes issued 1980-1992, in blue on card/paper, together with an original Central Bank of Ireland twenty pounds note sample, signatures M.F. Doyle and S.P. Cromien, 12.8.1987-14.2.1992, serial number FAD 693666, 14.11.90, both part-mounted on paper with cut frames (both very fine/extremely fine, some handling marks). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A group of fifteen extremely rare Central Bank of Ireland banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignettes of Willam Butler Yeats, colour trials in various shades of blue and some brown, some on oversized paper/card with full-plate margins, some with printer's details in pencil to margins (overall extremely fine), together with a photographic transparency showing the vignette within the full design. Note: this style of portrait was used on notes issued 1980-1992. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A group of seven extremely rare Central Bank of Ireland banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignettes of Grace O'Malley, for use on Series B one hundred pounds notes, circa late 1970s/1980s, colour trials, comprising five in red, two with printer's comment 'Full Strength' in ink to lower quarter, and two in dark brown/black, each test strike generally showing four margins (all extremely fine). Note: the Series B one hundred pounds note was never put into circulation, owing to a number of disagreements about design and to concerns that it would facilitate the illegal movement of cash. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

An extremely rare Central Bank of Ireland partial banknote die proof engraver's test strike of the obverse of a Series B one hundred pounds note, in pale red and blue with design elements of two ships, values to lower left and upper right corners, lacking the portrait vignette of Grace O'Malley which was changed during the note's design process, on paper/card, the reverse blank (extremely fine). Note: the Series B one hundred pounds note was never put into circulation, owing to a number of disagreements about design and to concerns that it would facilitate the illegal movement of cash. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

Two extremely rare Bank of Scotland banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignettes of Sir Walter Scott, as used on Scottish notes issued circa 1995, in brown on oversized paper/card, each signed 'A. Dow' in biro to lower left side (both extremely fine), together with a group of study photographs and working transparencies. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A scarce Thos. Cook & Son (Bankers) Ltd partial banknote progressive die proof engraver's test strike for the obverse of a five hundred dollars traveller's cheque, in red with portrait vignette of Thomas Cook to right side, values to upper and lower near corners, on oversized paper/card (very fine, some handling marks). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A collection of four advertising notes/leaflets for 'Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, Designers, Engravers and Printers of Bank Notes, Postage Stamps, Bonds and All Monetary Documents', each in banknote format with portrait vignette of King Charles I to left side. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A group of four various Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd advertising notes and a leaflet, comprising three in banknote format in multicoloured variations with classical female warrior to centre and bust of Napoleon to left side, the number '5' to each corner and to right side opposing Napoleon, and one in leaflet format in green with portrait vignette of Sir Isaac Newton to right side. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A group of four Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd and Thomas de la Rue advertising leaflets in banknote format with various designs showing the skill, style, quality and colour combinations they could achieve (all extremely fine), together with a novelty Consumer's Friend four cents Saving's Money note by the American Bank Note Company. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A collection of engraver's die stage proof and colour trial vignettes of the sculpted marble portrait bust of Sir Christopher Wren which Bradbury Wilkinson & Co used for a banknote format advertising note, in purple/blue, most loose but one mounted on paper with cut frame (all extremely fine, some light handling marks). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A rare large format uncut sheet, detailed with four Bradbury Wilkinson & Company Limited advertising banknotes with obverse and reverse designs, unusual to be in uncut format (overall handling marks and rolled). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A collection of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd die proof engraver's test strike and stage work portrait vignettes of Charles Dickens seated, after a photograph by John Watkins and Octavius Charles Watkins, in brown, blue and black on paper/card and transparencies, some tack-mounted on paper with cut frame mount, others loose (extremely fine, some handling marks). Note: this style of portrait was used on an advertising note and other works issued by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A rare banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignette of Queen Elizabeth II, as used on British Administration of Gibraltar notes issued 1995, 2000, 2004 and 2006, in brown on oversized paper/card with full-plate margins, together with an accompanying letter to Alan from Rod Wood at Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited, dated 25.1.93, and a photograph of the late Queen. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

An extremely rare banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignette of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Vladimir Tiara and dress for the 1977 Silver Jubilee, as used on Falklands Islands notes issued 1983-1990, in brown, together with a small die proof engraver's test strike vignette of the younger Queen Elizabeth in black, as used on Falklands Islands stamps circa 1954, mounted on paper with cut frames (both extremely fine). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A group of four die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignettes of Queen Elizabeth II and King George VI, probably design trials for banknotes, comprising three various of Elizabeth and one of George, various formats in black/blue, mostly on cut-down paper/card, together with a group of Royal-related design elements and photographic studies. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A banknote die proof engraver's test strike portrait vignette of Queen Elizabeth II in black, after Pietro Annigoni's portrait of her, circa 1955, as used on States of Jersey notes issued 1963 and Government of Fiji notes issued circa 1969, together with a similar smaller vignette of Queen Elizabeth in blue, mounted on paper with cut frames (both extremely fine). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A Bank of Melli Iran banknote die proof engraver's test strike for the reverse of a 1954 issue ten rials note, in dark blue with depiction of the tomb of Ibn Sina at Hamadan to centre, values to top and bottom opposing corners, mounted stuck on old card (very good). Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.

A group of five die proof engraver's test strikes, probably for a Middle Eastern banknote or at last a trial for a design, all in shades of blue with depiction of a mosque, on oversized paper/card with partial margins. Note: despite extensive research, we have been unable to find this design on any circulated note, so it is perhaps one that was not adopted. Provenance: from the personal archive of the late Alan Dow, master banknote engraver to Bradbury Wilkinson & Co and the Bank of England.