Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. 1881. 50 Pesos (not listed in Pick).

The plates were used for producing bank notes for Argentina, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Russia.

The one-of-a-kind artistic pieces of history were consigned to the auction by Archival Collectibles of Far Hills, New Jersey, which acquired the legendary American Bank Note Company archives in 2005.

Russia. Provincial Government. Government Credit Note. 1919. 250 Roubles (Pick-40A). - A superb piece, visually striking and important.

Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. 1881. 50 Pesos (not listed in Pick). The steel plate measures 5.5 x 3.25 inches and is apparently a progress plate for a design that was not adopted. While several notes were released with the issue date of November 8, 1881, the 50 Pesos denomination is of a different design, though there are some similarities.

Bolivia. Banco Nacional de Bolivia. 1877 Sucre issue. 5 Bolivianos (Pick-S200). Steel. 5 x 3 inches. Imprint of American Bank Note Company. A progress plate for this issue, this plate features only the central vignette and partial legends found on the final note which is catalogued in Pick as issued in Proof, and Specimen format.

China. The National Commercial Bank, Ltd. 1923. 1 Yuan (not listed in Pick). Face plate and back plate. Steel. 7.5 x 5 inches each. Imprint of American Bank Note Company on both. Believed to be intended for a foreign bank in China that was never opened. The face plate is in Chinese, while the back is in English.

Colombia. Banco Hipotecario de Bogota. Certificate header. Cylinder die. Steel. Height: 4.25 inches; Diameter: 2.75 inches. The cataloger, John M. Pack of Stack's, states: "Currency was printed under this title with a series date 1881, as catalogued in the Pick world paper money volume on specialized issues. These were not however issued, and all are listed only in Proof or Specimen format. The present die seems to be a header for a stock or bond certificate and likely dates to the same period."

Colombia. El Banco de la Republica. 1935. ½ Peso (Pick-384). Face plate and back plate. Steel. 7.5 x 5 inches each. Imprint of American Bank Note Company on both. An important pair of plates, a complete design for the 1935 regular currency issue of Colombia. "The printed notes themselves are scarce, with good catalogue value, but these plates are unique," said the cataloger.

Colombia. El Banco de la Republica. 1938. 1 Peso (Pick-385). Steel. 7 x 4.5 inches. Imprint of American Bank Note Company. Face plate for the 1938 commemorative issue in honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Bogota.

Guatemala. Comite Bancario de Guatemala. 1899. 25 Pesos (Pick-S193). Steel. 9.5 x 5.5 inches. Traces of green ink remain in the recesses, probably from a later Proof impression. The finished notes were in black ink. The highest denomination issued of this series, which included as a much as six million Pesos. Whatever the actual amount issued, it is believed that enough were redeemed that by 1925 only about one million pesos remained outstanding.

Nicaragua. Banco Nacional de Nicaragua. Series of 1938. 1 Cordoba (Pick-82). Steel. 7.75 x 4.5 inches. Imprint of Hamilton Bank Note, New York.

Paraguay. 1920 and 1923. 1,000 Pesos (Pick-155). Face plate and back plate. Steel. 9.25 x 9.5 inches each. Imprint of American Bank Note Company on both. "A beautiful, large pair of plates for a high denomination note, the highest issued in the series," said the cataloger.

Russia. Provisional Government. Government Credit Note. 1918. 25 Roubles (Pick-38). Steel. 7.5 x 5 inches. "A prize for the collector of anything Russian, an artifact likely never seen before by any collector," according to the cataloger.

Russia. Provincial Government. Government Credit Note. 1919. 250 Roubles (Pick-40A). Steel. 8.25 x 5.5 inches. The cataloger writes: "No imprint, but noted in Pick to have been engraved by American Bank Note Company. It is further noted that this issue was printed in the United States and that most of the notes were never released by the Provisional Government. This denomination as well as the 50, 500 and 1,000 Rouble notes are listed only as Proofs. A superb piece, visually striking and important."

The March auction also includes engraved plates used for printing foreign postage stamps, American obsolete paper money, stock and bond certificates for automobile companies, firearms manufacturers, record companies and movie studios. Many of the printing plates have wonderfully ornate engravings of presidents, allegorical figures and American scenes including whaling vignettes that were used on various bank notes in the 1850s and 1860s.

For information about the auction, contact Stack’s toll-free at either (800) 566-2580 (New York office) or (866) 811-1804 (New Hampshire office), or online at www.Stacks.com