KBA-Giori
Jules Verne
Test BankNote

Medal 1, Reverse

Medal 1, Reverse

Medal 1, Reverse

KBA-Giori S.A. (a brief history)

Gualtiero Giori was a direct descendant from a long line of Italian security printers established in Milan in the 19th century. He pioneered multi-colour intaglio printing by developing the revolutionary 6-colour intaglio printing press in 1947. Following this success and recognising the global need for the highest quality machines to produce the most secure banknotes he formed "Organisation Giori " in 1952.

Koenig & Bauer was founded in 1817 and enjoys a rich and colourful history as the oldest manufacturer of printing machines in the world. Based in Würzburg, Germany the company has evolved to become a world leader in print technology and innovation. In 1952, Organisation Giori signed a co-operation agreement with Koenig & Bauer entrusting them with the production of the security printing machines.

Following many years of successful partnership with the De La Rue Group, Organisation Giori was acquired by Koenig & Bauer in June 2001.
The new company, KBA-GIORI remains focused on the core activity of serving and protecting the global security print market by offering a full range of services, systems and machines to economically produce more secure banknotes and security documents.
Today's banknotes are more complex, more secure and carry more features than ever before. We are at the forefront of this evolution with our partners and customers around the world.

- KBA-Giori S.A. has operated from its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland for over 50 years
- They have assembled a team of international experts in banknote design, machinery design, process management, inspection technology and security systems.

(from www.kba-giori.com)


Medal 1, Reverse

Jules Verne Banknote

A complex specimen banknote inspired by the works of the legendary French author, Jules Verne (1828 - 1905), was created especially for Banknote Horizons (a trade fair) by Renato Manfredi, one of the world’s leading banknote designers.

It incorporates over 90 security features, including some unusual ones like latent imaging on the back of the note.

Since 1983, Renato Manfredi has worked as a banknote designer for KBA-Giori.
Visitors to the pre-press demonstration centre in Sevelin embarked on a voyage of discovery and adventure, in the style of Jules Verne, following the step-by-step creation of the banknote design using ONE, a digital design and assembly system, in conjunction with CTiP.


Medal 1, Reverse

Variations of the KBA-Giori Speciman Banknote

•There 2 major instances of the banknote. One is dated 2004 and the other is dated 2005. Each of these has some minor variations. Since Banknote Horizons took place in 2004, I can understand notes dates 2004, but I do not have any idea why there are notes dated 2005.

•There are also instances of the note that appear to be part of test runs, where only part of the note was imprinted, and these have an `Egyptian’ overprint or the Gear is prominent.

•I do not have any idea of the number of examples of any of these notes. Given that this note was used to demonstrate a running production line, I expect that there are thousands or tens of thousands of these notes floating around. (OR MORE!!!)

•They are occaissionally available on eBay for prices ranging from $10 to a few hundred dollars.

•There are even examples of uncut sheets of these notes.


Different Versions of the Jules Verne test banknote:

2004 - No Serial Numbers
2004 - 2 Serial Numbers
2004 - Egyptian Overprint (Partial Note)
2004 – Gears (Partial Note)
2005 – 1 Serial Number
2005 – 2 Serial Numbers
2005 - Partial (not illustrated currently)

See examples below.

2004 – No Serial Number

Medal 1, Reverse
Medal 1, Reverse

On the reverse, there is a Foil imprint of a Powered Balloon Airship (Cigar Shaped)


2004 – 2 Serial Numbers

Medal 1, Reverse
Medal 1, Reverse

On the reverse, there is a Foil imprint of a Powered Balloon Airship (Cigar Shaped)


2004 – Egyptian Overprint

Front has Egyptian overprint and circle with Verne signature

Medal 1, Reverse

Reverse has no image but some Egyptian (?) characters
Medal 1, Reverse

This is a note described as the Egyptian Overprint.
I assume that this is a Test of the progress so far on the note.
Some of the features are there, but not all, and these are only printed on one side.


2004 – Gears (Partial Note)

(Image from www.testnotes.de... THEY have watermarked the image!)
The note is now mostly all there except for Jules’ head and Voyages Extraordinaires on Reverse

Medal 1, Reverse

Medal 1, Reverse

This is another note that is only partially complete.
(I had to get an image of this note from www.testnotes.de)
More elements are now present, but the main image of Jules Verne and Voyages Extraordinaires are missing.
BUT because they are mostly hidden in the complete note, you can easilly see the gears on this partial printing.


2005 – 1 Serial Number

Major differences from the 2004 note include:
- Different Globe (on the front)
- Different background beside Jules’ head (Front)

Medal 1, Reverse

- Round foil Balloon instead of cigar shaped (reverse)

Medal 1, Reverse


2005 – 2 Serial numbers

(Image from www.testnotes.de... THEY have watermarked the image!)

These notes have the same differences from 2004 as noted above in 2005 - 1 serial number note.

Medal 1, Reverse

Medal 1, Reverse


What are the different Jules Verne elements of the Banknotes?

Some say the Bank note is not particularly attractive because it is crammed so full of sescurity features. But I like the look of it, and have enjoyed studying it to find its secrets.

All images below were created by me for a presentation to the North American Jules Verne Society, Inc

These images are copyright 2009, 2010 by Andrew Nash

Let’s go.....

Front - Jules Verne

Medal 1, Reverse

•The main feature is the face of Jules Verne.

•I am not convinced 100% but it certainly could be a reverse of this 1902 image. The length of the mustache and the tired eyes, do seem to indicate a 1900 – 1902 vintage Jules Verne

Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Front - ‘Jules Verne’ Microprinting

Medal 1, Reverse
This microprinting below is beside the hair at the left side of Verne's face

Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

The below microprinting is in the righthand corner of the front of the note, behind the KBA Giori name.

Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Front - Tour du Monde

Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

and in center, below middle and above the balloon foil is Verne's signature
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Front + Reverse – Nemo

The Nemo on front and reverse line up `exactly´ to create 1 nemo image
and a watermark in the oval is the squid from the viewing portal in a 20,000 Leagues illustration.

Front .............................Reverse........................and Both with watermark ...............................and finally the Illustration from the book
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Front – Sextant and Gears

Sextant on bill............................................and Sextant being used by Nemo
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

The gears are not an exact match, but are at least similar to the illustration from 20,000 Leagues.
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Reverse – Voyages Extraordinaires

Medal 1, Reverse

Voyages Extraordinaires, which comes from the Hetzel Sphere armillaire binding
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse
Medal 1, Reverse

and microprinting behind armilaire reads "Voyages Extraordinaires" AND the small ball on the right center, looks like the below, magnified
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Reverse - Boy – 1890 Hetzel Etrennes

Medal 1, Reverse

Boy leaning on wagon in front of Voyages Extraodrinaires. The boy at the left side, bottom of the armilaire, is from the Hetzel poster for 1890 announcing the new books for that year.

Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Reverse - Mysterious Island

Medal 1, Reverse

In the middle, left side of the reverse, is a mountain.
It is from an illustration in Mysterious Island. The dog can be seen just above the 2nd "0" in 2004
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Reverse – Book List

Medal 1, Reverse

On reverse, left side, to the right and below the date, is a dark rectangle, which has microbprinting, with the names of Verne's books
Medal 1, Reverse
and zoomed more so you can read! ... up to an including Paris au XXE Siecle
Medal 1, Reverse
very clear!!!

And in various places on the notes, Balloons and Globes and a Whale!

Not specifically Verne but associated with Verne!

2004 Globe .......................2004 Globe with signature .....................2005 Globe
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Balloons
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

and a whale !!!!!!!
Medal 1, Reverse Medal 1, Reverse

Thank you for your time

.... Andrew Nash (November 2010)


Unless indicated otherwise, Images copyright Andrew Nash 2010
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