On January 10, 2014, the legendary 1890 $1000 Treasury Note sold for $3,290,000 at Heritage Auction, making it the single most valuable piece of currency in existence. The $1000 banknote gets its nickname, “The Grand Watermelon” from its design, most notably on the reverse side where the zeros feature webbing akin to that of a watermelon. The front of the bill features a red seal, a prime identifier for one of two bills in existence with this seal, adding to its value. A handful of $1000 bills exist with a brown seal, all of which are valuable but not as rare as the bills with red seals.

Anything of high denomination attracts theft, and such was the case for a $1000 Federal Reserve Note at a Chicago bank. In the late 60’s banks started using dye packs to safeguard ATM’s and transport cases, and were typically used in the event of a bank robbery. A dye pack works by being placed in a stack of bills, which is then given to the robber. The pack becomes armed and a radio transmitter triggers the pack to explode when the robber leaves the bank, releasing an aerosol of dye and sometimes tear gas. The dye can come in different colors such as red, black, blue, and green. Ultimately, it helps to deter robberies and recover stolen money as well as help authorities to identify the robber. 

With this story in mind, and continuing the currency theme with New Balance (i.e. the CNCPTS x New Balance 998 “C-Note”), CNCPTS and New Balance present the 1000 Míle”. Opening the box emanates the experience of discovering a stack of bills tainted by a dye pack. Inside, the sneakers are concealed by a “CNCPTS Currency” tissue paper, and removing the layers reveals the prized possession. Using cues from the iconic Grand Watermelon banknote, the sneaker has an overall green color scheme with striking hits of hot pink, inspired by the red seal from the bill. Originally released in 1999, the 1000 embodied the era’s bold, futuristic styling with a streamlined, yet intricately detailed design. The standard mesh upper and synthetic overlay design is inverted, with mesh underlays, emerging from the more prominent overlay panels, for a refined, tech-inspired look. A segmented sole unit features ABZORB cushioning at the heel and forefoot, with a Stability Web midfoot shank.

Is it a “St. Patrick’s Day shoe” or a “money” shoe? We traveled to Ireland to visit Dublin-based rapper Travy, who debates the shoe’s design choices. 

Rich in storytelling, the CNCPTS x New Balance 1000 “Míle” blends culture, history, and exclusivity all into one iconic drop. Secure your pair in-store and online at www.cncpts.ae