Catalog
| Issuer | KBA-Giori S.A. |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004-2005 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Paper |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Central vignette of the Voyages Extraordinaires armillary sphere derived from the celebrated Hetzel publisher's binding, with a boy reading a book while leaning against a carriage. At left, a mountain landscape with a dog alludes to L'Île Mystérieuse, while at right Captain Nemo appears as a secondary figure. The design is printed with NO VALUE designation, confirming its status as a printer's promotional specimen. |
| Reverse lettering | KBA-GIORI VOYAGES JULES VERNE EXTRAORDINAIRES 2004 NO VALUE |
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| Comments |
KBA-Giori produced this note as a technical demonstration piece — a so-called "specimen of art" designed to showcase the firm's intaglio and offset capabilities to central bank clients rather than for any circulating currency. The Jules Verne theme was chosen for the 2004–2005 promotional cycle, likely timed to the centenary of Verne's death in March 1905. Renato Manfredi's engraving is the real point of interest here: intaglio portraits on demonstration notes are often deliberately complex, intended to push the press to its limits rather than meet a production brief.
KBA-Giori, formed from the merger of Koenig & Bauer's banknote division with De La Rue Giori, was headquartered in Lausanne at the time of printing.