2016-06-25 Sat

The next Hong Kong Auction, scheduled for August this year, is going to sell a South Viet Nam P-4Ap 1000 Dong Proof Banknote. This note is considered to be a gem for its beauty, design, scarcity, interesting history, and high denomination.

The Thomas De La Rue Company was asked to come up with the designs for the notes depicting the essence of South Viet Nam. A few test designs were made after which the final one was approved. The Old Man portrays longevity and his stare towards the temple reflected the religious sentiment of the region. The reverse depicts a stunning woman on a boat paddling across a lake with mountains in the background.

But due to the war, these notes were never issued and only the Proof and specimen notes exist today. Proofs are less in number than Specimens. The Specimens were special as they had a watermark of the old man staring at the woman when held to the light.

Stacks Bowers is currently accepting consignments for the rest of its auctions that are scheduled this year.