New Balance first paid homage to a new bill design in 2013 with the launch of the 998 “C-Note” to mark the new $100 bill. Over a decade later, the brand is again celebrating a unique note with the launch of the CNCPTS x New Balance 1000 “Míle”, which takes the now-obsolete $1,000 bill as its inspiration.

Drawing on the design of the 1890 $1,000 treasury note, which was named “The Grand Watermelon” due to its distinct large green zeros on the rear, the CNCPTS x New Balance 1000 “Míle” is a suitably premium-level edition. The design takes the red seal from the front of the bill and transforms it into the signature hot pink “1000” on the toe, tongue, and medial heel, with appropriate shades of white and green throughout the rest of the sneaker.

Additional branding elements finish off the CNCPTS x New Balance 1000 “Míle” design. Concepts branding on the tongue and heel utilizes a striking Gothic font. A repeating “CNCPTS Currency” print is featured throughout the insole, and these and other elements are repeated across the sneaker’s packaging design.  The final layer in the shoe’s lore is “Míle,” the Irish Gaelic word for “thousand.”

Prominent pink splashes on the box recall the introduction of dye packs in the 1960s, which were introduced to help identify bank robbers following a haul in which $1,000 was stolen. Combined with the sneaker’s impressive design that blends retro-style influences with America’s iconic currency, the CNCPTS x New Balance 1000 “Míle” collaboration will likely be highly sought after. The shoe will be available via CNCPTS on March 14, with in-store raffles in the preceding days.

In other footwear news, check out the Nike ACG Rufus Denim Sneaker.