Some of my Favorites from the Spring 2026 Maastricht Auction

As I write this, we are about two weeks away from the Spring 2026 Maastricht Auction. As I outlined in a previous blog, this sale is destined to be a landmark sale, remembered for years to come. By now, you probably have looked at the catalog, whether online or in print, and maybe have selected some notes you are interested in, or maybe even placed some bids online. This blog discusses some notes that I think are worthy of a look. They are not necessarily the most expensive or the rarest notes; instead, these are notes that I think are either undervalued at current levels, much scarcer than people realize, or are just attractive. What are your favorites? Feel free to let me know at [email protected], or mention them to me at the Maastricht show!

Lot 50009: PALESTINE. Palestine Currency Board. 500 Mils, 20.4.1939. P-6c. Prefix G. PMG Extremely Fine 40 EPQ.

The Olive Spring Collection of Palestine contains many great rarities, including the iconic 50 and 100 Pound denominations. This note, however, is also noteworthy. The 500 Mils is deceptively difficult at the Extremely Fine level with original paper, as indicated by the ‘EPQ’ designation here. Notes at this grade level circulated just enough to pick up tears, writing, staining, and a host of other problems. Finding a piece like this 1939-dated example, with just a few folds but fresh, bright, and original paper is challenging. If you are looking to add a single piece from this world-class collection to your holdings but don’t want to break the bank, here is certainly a note to consider.

Lot 51033: BAHAMAS. Central Bank of the Bahamas. 100 Dollars, 2000. P-67s. Specimen. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.

Collectors typically either love or hate specimens. Personally, I would rather own an issued example, especially for classic notes. However, I also realize that some modern specimens are extraordinarily rare and worthy of inclusion in any serious collection and this is such an example. While the 2000 $100 from the Bahamas is readily available in issued form, this is the first time we have ever offered a TDLR specimen, and I personally don’t recall ever seeing another. The PMG population report only shows two grading instances of this specimen. An underappreciated modern rarity!

Lot 51215: FRENCH INDO-CHINA. Banque de l’Indochine. 5 Piastres, 13.1.1909. P-37a. PMG Very Fine 30

The My Canh Collection of French Indo-China is one of the most advanced collections ever assembled, with a lengthy pedigree. Within such an offering, this note may be overlooked by even dedicated specialists. It’s the first variety of this long-running 5 Piastres type and appears to have been printed for less than two years. Only four notes have been graded of this first variety, which had signatures of Baron Hely d’Oissel as Administrateur and Stanislas Simon as Directeur. Of the quartet, this note is tied for finest. While it is unlikely to achieve the highest result in the auction, its rarity is indisputable. 

Lot 51322: GREECE. Cassa Mediterranea di Credito per la Grecia. 100 Drachmai, ND (1941). P-M4s. SB464. Specimen. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ.

Over the past few years, as we sold the fabulous Kugel cabinet, there were many rarities, particularly from the World War II period. What was missing, however, were the specimens of the Cassa Mediterranea di Credito per la Grecia, a partial set of which we are now able to offer as part of the Tiber Collection. This 100 Drachmai is the sole finest specimen of this historic issue (with only two graded in total). While the margins are skewed, we must mention that this is typical and confirms originality, as these notes were cut by hand at the printer prior to distribution.

Lot 51416: NETHERLANDS. Nederlandsche Bank. 1000 Gulden, 1994 (ND 1996). P-102. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ.

As many of you will know, I grew up in the Netherlands, before moving to the United States in 2011. As a child, these notes were in circulation, the highest denomination of the final series of the Dutch Gulden. However, these high-denomination notes were virtually never seen in circulation thanks to their enormous spending power. The only time I recall ever holding one as a child was when an uncle was about to buy a new car and had gotten a few from his bank. The impression was lasting, as I can still recall the moment clearly almost three decades later!

Lot 51443: PERU. Banco Nacional del Peru. 5 Soles, 187x. P-S333cts. Front Color Proof. PMG Choice Uncirculated 63.

Not much to say about this piece, except that I think it is highly attractive, with a lovely vignette that matches a note from Peru perfectly. The primary color is attractive yellow. I would say this is certainly among the top designs produced by the American Bank Note Company in the 1870s.

Lot 51482: POLAND / PRZEDBORZ. L. Eichmann & Company. 6 Groszy, ND (ca. 1794). P-Unlisted. PMG Very Fine 30.

An extremely rare private small-change note from a small town in Poland, part of another extensive group of Polish notes from the collection of Kazmier Wysocki, former mayor of Hackensack, New Jersey. These small-change notes were sometimes made by private companies and individuals, typically in times of coin shortages. For some countries, such as Denmark, they are extensively cataloged and collected, while those from countries such as Poland remain understudied. This is the only example of this issue we have been able to locate, despite extensive searches in the existing literature.