What Are Specimen Banknotes

Specimen banknotes are special sample issues of paper money that were never intended for circulation.
They were produced for banks, government institutions, and printing houses as reference examples to demonstrate banknote design, security features, and technical characteristics.

These notes are highly valued by collectors and are commonly found in museum and private collections.

Specimen banknotes were produced for official and demonstration purposes.
They were distributed to commercial banks, exchange offices, and government institutions to familiarize staff with the appearance of new currency issues.

Main purposes included:
• training of banking personnel
• demonstration of design and security features
• approval of final banknote designs
• archival reference

Specimen banknotes feature distinct visual characteristics that differentiate them from circulation issues.

Common identifying features include:
• the word “SPECIMEN” printed, perforated, or stamped
• zero or identical serial numbers
• missing signatures or legal tender status
• perforation holes
• non-standard serial number colors

Specimen banknotes represent a distinct category within paper money collecting.
In many cases, they are valued higher than circulation issues due to limited production quantities and excellent preservation.

Their collectible value depends on:
• rarity of the issue
• country and historical period
• condition of the note
• method of “Specimen” marking
• demand on the international collector market

Specimen banknotes occupy a special place in paper money catalogs.
They provide valuable insight into banknote design and printing techniques and are of significant interest to collectors and researchers.

In catalogs, specimen notes are typically listed as separate variants or series.