Lebanese 250 Livres leads Heritage's World Paper Money Auction to $1.54 million

A Lebanon Banque de Syrie et du Liban 250 Livres 1939 Pick 21 PMG Extremely Fine 40 realized $43,920 to lead Heritage Auctions’ March 26 World Paper Money Signature® Auction to a total of $1,543,704, as collectors competed for elite rarities and historically significant banknotes from around the world. The Lebanese 250 Livres — the highest denomination of the landmark 1939 series printed by the Bank of France — stood as one of the most coveted offerings in the auction. An iconic rarity seldom encountered in any grade, the type saw limited issuance, with approximately 112,000 notes printed and nearly all redeemed decades ago. The example offered is the second-finest of just eight graded by PMG and features engravings of St. John’s Church on the face and the Sea Castle of Sidon on the reverse. Its strong eye appeal, crisp paper and vivid pastel