Nilaish Banknotes World

  A Spectacular Auction Evening: Bank of Madras Specimens at Spink Auctions (London) 23 September 2025 Spink’s London “World Banknotes” auction (Auction 25009) drew keen interest from collectors and institutional bidders alike. Among the star lots were specimen banknotes of the Bank of Madras , one of the three Presidency Banks of British India, whose survival in specimen form is exceedingly rare. These notes—pattern designs not meant for general circulation—serve as prototypes, presentation pieces, or archives. Their extreme rarity, historical significance, and aesthetic appeal make them prized items in high-end numismatics. The auction of these notes sets a world record for presidency banknotes of India. The 3000 Rupees Specimen note of Bank of Madras has become the most expensive note sold ever out of all Indian banknotes in any auction worldwide.  The Bank of Madras Specimen Lots                          ...

   One dollar, Bank of Poyais, Republic of Poyais (1820s). After fighting in South and Central America, the Scottish soldier  Gregor MacGregor  created an elaborate  scam  claiming to have been made a  Cacique  of the entirely fictitious Cazique of Poyais, all in an effort to defraud land investors. Nearly 200 died in 1822–23 in connection with MacGregor's deception.