By Aris Maragoudakis – Currency Specialist, Stack’s Bowers ……
Our upcoming Hong Kong Auction will feature one of the most sought after pieces in World Currency collecting. Stack’s Bowers is pleased to offer the South Viet Nam P-4Ap 1000 Dong Proof for the first time in our history. This note is at the top of every serious collector’s list for multiple reasons: its beauty, design, scarcity and interesting history, as well as the high denomination and the degree of difficulty of obtaining an example, especially a gem.
This note was proposed to the government after the Thomas De La Rue Company was commissioned to create a piece that represented the essence of South Viet Nam. The Old Man was printed to signify dedication and longevity, while he stared at the temple that represented the religious sentiment of the region. On the reverse a stunning woman offers an aura similar to that of the Mona Lisa. The background displays a boat on a lake with a mountainous landscape — a symbol of the beauty of the area.
Thomas De La Rue produced a few test creations and ultimately the proposed design on the featured note was chosen.
Sadly, while this design was approved through the Proof and Specimen stages, it was never issued, most likely due to the war. It is only available as a Proof, or a Specimen. There are fewer Proofs available than Specimens; Proof examples, however, lack the unique watermark of the old man that is staring at the woman when held to the light.
The note will be offered in our live session of the Hong Kong Paper Money Sale in August. We are currently accepting consignments for the rest of our 2016 auction season. If you are interested in consigning or if you have a currency related question please call 1-800-458-4646 or email Currency Specialist Aris Maragoudakis at [email protected] or Director of Currency Peter Treglia at [email protected].
