| Description |
Great Britain - Bank of England �5 June 4, 1936 "Operation Bernhard" Counterfeit Pick 335ax. PCGS Extremely Fine 40 Apparent. All historic paper currency issues interested Eric P. Newman, and the "Operation Bernhard" notes are no exception. In 1942, S.S. Major Walter Bernhard Kruger assembled a group of Jewish artists, engravers, printers, and technicians in the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in order to counterfeit British paper money. The operation was massive in its scope. Nearly nine million notes were printed, totaling more than �130 million. While the Germans could not effectively introduce the notes into circulation en masse, they were nonetheless successful in stoking fears about the British money supply due to their impressive quality. Britannia is at upper left, and the stylized denomination at lower left is similar in appearance to the genuine note previous. A sharp-looking example with full edges all around. Noted with "Foreign Substance on Face and Back; Stains." The faults are minor on the face, but the back is toned. The face eye appeal is excellent, and the historical interest undeniable. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20347, realized $216. |
