1908 Mozambique 2500 Reis Specimen PMG 55AU Pick 30s Lourenco Marques Rare

Offered here is a striking 1908 Mozambique 2500 Reis Specimen issued by the Banco Nacional Ultramarino for Lourenço Marques, cataloged as Pick 30s. This is an official specimen issue rather than a regular circulation note, making it a highly desirable colonial-era banking piece with strong appeal to specialists in Portuguese colonial paper money, African numismatics, and specimen notes. Encapsulated by PMG as About Uncirculated 55, the note carries the important annotations Color Added and roulette cancelled, both of which should be understood as part of its certified status and specimen character.

In terms of authenticity, this note is professionally authenticated and graded by PMG (Paper Money Guaranty), one of the most recognized third-party grading services in numismatics. The holder identifies the note as Mozambique, Pick 30s, BNU MZ25s, 1908, 2500 Reis, Seal Type I, giving collectors confidence in both attribution and originality as a genuine specimen issue from the Banco Nacional Ultramarino series.

Historically, this piece represents the Portuguese colonial monetary system in Mozambique during the early 20th century, when the Banco Nacional Ultramarino played a central role in issuing currency across Portugal’s overseas territories. Notes from Lourenço Marques, the colonial name for present-day Maputo, are especially evocative artifacts of imperial commerce, administration, and maritime trade. As a specimen, this example was produced for archival, presentation, or institutional reference purposes rather than for everyday circulation, which adds an additional layer of historical importance.

The design is particularly attractive and elaborate. The face features an engraved portrait at left, ornate guilloche work, Portuguese arms, and a maritime vignette of sailing vessels, reinforcing the seaborne commercial identity of the issuing authority. The bold red Banco Nacional Ultramarino seal stands out dramatically against the intricate background, while the SPECIMEN overprint clearly marks its special status. On the reverse, the large blue central design with seated allegorical imagery and ship motif continues the classic engraved colonial banknote aesthetic. The roulette cancellation is especially desirable to many collectors because it is a classic specimen control feature seen on presentation and archive notes.

The denomination of 2500 Reis is an impressive and substantial face value for the period, representing a higher-value colonial issue from a bank and region that are avidly collected. Early Mozambique notes in this format are far scarcer than many later African issues, and specimen pieces are even more elusive due to their limited production and survival.

Catalog Details:
Country: Mozambique
Issuer: Banco Nacional Ultramarino
City: Lourenço Marques
Year: 1908
Denomination: 2500 Reis
Catalog Number: Pick 30s
Type: Specimen
Grade: PMG About Uncirculated 55
Comments: Color Added, roulette cancelled

Collector’s Value:
This note brings together nearly everything advanced collectors look for: early date, colonial Mozambique origin, Banco Nacional Ultramarino issuance, attractive large-format engraving, official specimen status, and a certified PMG holder. Its combination of visual appeal, historic Portuguese African context, and specialized catalog status as Pick 30s makes it an excellent addition to a serious world paper money collection and a standout conversation piece in any specimen note cabinet.