A True Specimen Note?

Seemed like a genuine specimen to me at first, as not all specimen have the "all zeros" serial type as I've noticed in my short experience of collecting. But I guess it doesn't make it a true specimen as it's from the collector series.

Not the first time I see sellers misrepresent notes. Some have a lot of experience dealing so it's hard to believe they would leave out such details due to ignorance. I've seen, a month ago, a guy try and I guess succeed at passing off a 1997 100 kroner note as a 1972 100 kroner note due to their similarity. I really should've reported that guy to eBay.

you are correct baanos - maltese crosses indicate Collector Series notes - there were a few of these "Collector Issues" put out on to the market at the same time as the Botswana one

If a country issues a note stamped SPECIMEN on both sides, then it's a SPECIMEN note, by definition.

If you want to argue there are different kinds of SPECIMEN notes, fine, but I don't see how it can be fraudulent to call it what the issuing gubmint calls it.

Otherwise, it's like trying to pass it off as a true specimen note which can be so much harder to obtain therefore fooling certain people who don't know any better.


People who do not know better need to do their research before spending money on any collectible.

If someone sees for example, the listing of a 1972 banknote on which the only date visible is 1972 and that upon research they find information on a banknote printed in 1972 which looks the same at first glance, they will assume that the listing is of a 1972 banknote. I mean, what would push someone with less experience to look further than that ? They will not have guessed or found the information that the serial number was an indicator that the bill was actually printed in 1997. Who to blame then ?


Under your criteria, every seller of small size US Federal Reserve Notes or Silver Certificates should find out what year the notes were actually printed and put that in their listing in addition to the Series year. As an example, a Series 1935G Silver Certificate was printed as late as 1957. That is a bit of a stretch.

You are also incorrect in assuming that specimens are "by definition" only printed for the banking industry. That is simply not true. Specimens are printed for whatever purpose the issuing authority has them made.

There is nothing deceptive about the description of the Botswana note in the auction huckles888 posted in the intitial post. It is a specimen note.

I can take issue with that seller's statement about this particular note getting more and more scarce but that is sales puffery. Even here, though, self-education by buyers is the key to seeing through that type of BS.

Plenty of comments both ways but at the end of the day I believe there is an obligation to provide full and accurate information




If not provided then there is a case to argue that there is an intention to misrepresent and deceive and the above description of one of these items seems to indicate this




The notes in question are not specimen notes as normally understood but are mass produced "collectibles"

FYI I contacted one of the Sellers of these notes and pointed out what they were and after a bit of toing and froing finally got the following response




Went back and said well why don't you state they are a Franklin Mint product in your listing - No further responses were received which says it all

For the good of any hobby bad practices I believe need to be highlighted to educate those who don't have a lot of knowledge etc