Strong bidding pushed a top Egyptian rarity and multiple international highlights well beyond expectations in Heritage’s October event.
By Intelligent Collector Staff | October 17, 2025
Heritage Auctions’ Oct. 16 World Paper Money Signature® Auction realized $2,084,001, with the top result coming from a highly sought 19th-century Egyptian issue—an outcome the press release frames as part of wider strength across international banknotes.
The leading lot was an 1899 Egypt National Bank of Egypt 1 Pound note featuring a distinctive two-camel vignette. The Egypt National Bank of Egypt 1 Pound 5.1.1899 (Pick 2b), PMG Choice Very Fine 35 sold for $66,000, which the press release calls an auction record for the note and positions as the anchor result for the sale.
Several other lots reinforced demand for scarcity in issued format and for unusually rare signature or specimen combinations. A Zanzibar Government 10 Rupees 1.1.1908 (Pick 3), PMG Very Fine 20 Net realized $38,400, with Heritage noting the denomination’s limited graded population.
In the British Commonwealth lane, a Rhodesia and Nyasaland 10 Pounds 1.2.1961 (Pick 23b), PMG About Uncirculated 55 EPQ also finished at $31,200, and Heritage emphasized the note’s signature variety as a key driver of its rarity.
Dutch and Dutch Colonial material was another theme in the press release’s recap, including a Netherlands Indies United East India Company, Amboina 20 Rijksdaalders 29.3.1809 (Pick S128), PMG Very Fine 30 at $28,800 and a Curacao Curacaosche Bank 500 Gulden 25.11.1954 (Pick 44), PMG Very Fine 30 at $25,200.
For collectors, the practical read is that world paper money continues to reward two things: identifiable rarity (especially when population data supports it) and “story-of-issue” context—whether that’s political disruption, colonial administration, or limited issuance and redemption patterns. When those factors align with strong eye appeal and confirmed grading, results can move sharply, even in categories that traditionally trade in thinner volume than U.S. currency.
Source: Heritage Auctions press release (Oct. 17, 2025).