A Tribute to Lost Worlds: The Dutch Mauritius Fantasy Collection

Explore the "what if" of natural history with this breathtaking set of four fantasy banknotes for the Nederlands Mauritius colony. These high-quality "Art Notes" imagine a modern currency that honors the unique, and in many cases extinct, fauna discovered by early Dutch explorers.

Thematic & Design Highlights:

• Alternate History Concept: The notes are issued in the name of the Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) and dated "1638" in the fine print, but created with state-of-the-art 21st-century printing techniques.

• The "Extinct Series" Wildlife:

  • 50 Gulden (Blue): Features the iconic Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), the most famous extinct bird in the world.

  • 100 Gulden (Lime): Showcases the Broad-billed Parrot (Lophopsittacus mauritianus).

  • 500 Gulden (Yellow): Depicts the Mauritius Blue Pigeon (Alectroenas nitidissima).

  • 1000 Gulden (Orange): Features the Mascarene Parrot (Mascarinus mascarin).

• Reverse Designs: Every note features a magnificent hand-engraved style depiction of a Dutch Galleon at full mast, navigating the shores of a tropical Mauritius.

• Modern Security Features: Includes complex holographic foil strips, rainbow-shifted underprints, and micro-printing—features that rival many official government notes.

Item Details:

• Issuer: Nederlands Mauritius (Fantasy Art Issue).

• Designer: Franck Medina.

• Denominations: 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Gulden.

• Quantity: Full Set of 4 Notes.

• Condition: Gem Uncirculated (UNC) – Pristine, crisp, and vibrant. These have been kept in archival sleeves since production.

Collector's Perspective: This set is a masterpiece of thematic collecting. It appeals not only to banknote enthusiasts but also to those interested in ornithology, biology, and the history of exploration. Franck Medina’s work is highly sought after because it treats fantasy currency with the same gravity and technical detail as a national central bank.