1980s Antigua $100 Saga of Treasure Ships & Pirates Gilt Note Set of 30Pcs (Issues)

"The World's First Gold & Silver Banknotes: The Saga of Treasure Ships and Pirates" 23-Karat Gilded Banknote Collection from Antigua & Barbuda.

This collector album incorporates 30 different banknotes in folios. The stunning collection of artwork struck onto the banknotes was drawn by none other than Alan D'Estrehan, one of the world's foremost marine artists at the time of issue. The captivating stories that accompany each piece of gold and silver artwork were penned by Canadian historian and author Christopher Moore.

The notes, $100 legal tender issues, appear to be 23-karat gold foil plated, with fine silver highlights. The set was issued by Excelsior Collectors Guild Ltd., of Ottawa, beginning sometime in the 1980s; the notes bear the year of Independence, 1981, on the other side, while the letter to this set's original recipient is dated August 1, 1989. The set comes in the official blue leatherette binder and slipcase with certificate of authenticity. Each folio contains an extensive biography of the pirate in question and displays the note in a philatelic-style mount. Also includes most, but not all, of the letters that accompanied the installments (these tend to have a bit of damage from the binder rings).

The folios have mild wear and sometimes creases (not severe). At least two notes are scratched and at least two mildly smudged. The binder rings' spine has come uncoupled from the bottom mount on the inside cover. The slipcase also has some wear and indents.

The themes of the notes are:
• Captain William Dampier and the St. George
• Bartolomeo the Portuguese and his Barque
• Captain Jean Fleury and the Dieppe
• Captain Henry Mainwaring and the Resistance
• Admiral Piet Heyn and the Amsterdam
• Captain Thomas Tew and the Amity
• Pierre LeGrand Captures the Vice-Admiral's Ship
• Captain Thomas Anstis and the Good Fortune
• Anne Bonny Boards John Halman's Sloop
• Captain Charles Gibb's Schooner Maria
• Francois L'Ollonois Attacks Puerto Caballos
• Calico Jack Rackam and his Merchantman
• Sir Henry Morgan Captures the Marquesa
• Jean Laffite and The Pride
• Captain Edward Low and his Brigantine
• Captain Howell Davis and the King James
• Captain Kidd and the Adventure Galley
• Stede Bonnet's Sloop Royal James
• Charles Vane's Ship Challenges HMS Buck
• Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge
• Bartholomew Robets's Royal Fortune
• Benito De Soto and the Black Joke
• Captain George Lowther and the Happy Delivery
• Sir Francis Drake and the Golden Hind
• Captain Edward England and the Cassandra
• Captain Thomas Cocklyn and the Bird Galley
• Captain Henry Avery and the Gang-i-Saway
• Easton Attacks on the Newfoundland Coast
• Captain Samuel Bellamy and the Whidah
• Captain William Taylor and the Victory