LONDON.- It’s that time of year again and the eagerly anticipated Autumn World Banknotes sale is here. Spink’s esteemed banknote specialist, Barnaby Faull, comments that “It doesn’t seem so long ago when I was a young man (to many of you I still am!) and the banknote department was grudgingly allowed a few banknote lots at the end of a coin sale, how things have changed. This time, it seems we have been cataloguing from dawn to dusk for the last few months and we have three magnificent catalogues to show for it.”

First and foremost, there is the general world auction of almost 2200 lots. Following this, Spink will be presenting a Bank of England charity auction featuring the first Bank of England Polymer issue and thirdly, a substantial British sale with a strong Scottish offering.

The general sale, as usual, contains a splendid group of specimens, proofs and essays including some staggeringly rare Commonwealth issues. For example, a 1929 Palestine £50 (lot 1439), a Gibraltar £50 of 1914 (lot 709), and notes from the Turks and Caicos, Grenada and Mauritius. There is also a beautiful group of issued Belgian Congo and a wonderful mix of French Colonial issues, all of which are worthy of special attention. Lot 1439, estimated: £35,000 – 40,000 - Lot 709, estimated: £15,000 – 20,000

This auction is enhanced by several individual collections from all over the world. Scattered throughout the sale are elements of the Ralph Parry Collection. Most of this is featured in Spink's British sale, but several notes can be found in the World Banknotes sale. There is a lovely group of Indian notes which Barnaby last saw over 25 years ago when you could still find good notes in some quantity!

Spink has a truly exceptional grouping of early Ottoman specimen notes with vibrant colours and intricate calligraphy, (lot 2035) - a 50,000 livres of 1916. Lot 2035, estimated: £80,000 – 90,000

The Mel Huang collection, located before the Russia section, is a very nice selection from one of the ‘real’ collectors who keep this wonderful hobby afloat. Be sure to look at the 100 rubles of 1884, known as the ‘rainbow note’ (lot 1713). Lot 1713, estimated: £4,000 – 5,000

Other highlights include the remarkable Peter Dorfman collection of Egyptian Government Currency Notes. This is at the start of the Egypt section, and includes some spectacular Royal Numbers and other rarities.

As ever, Spink hoped that the auction will underline the strength of this fascinating hobby and that all our collectors and friends find a few notes to attract them. The sale will take place from the 28th – 30th September 2016 in London.