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Auction 269 | Lot 6658 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 28 $1 1880 Legal Tender Gem New. This is the first and the better of two consecutive Fr. 28s. It's well margined, bright and beautiful with deep original embossing and ideal color. Fr. 28 is the scarcest number of its type. It's slightly scarcer than Fr. 29, and Fr. 30 outnumbers it by over two to one. Yet, Fr. 28s usually sell for the same price as 29s and 30s. A smart buyer should take note of that and seek out this scarcer number.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6698 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 50 $2 1880 Legal Tender Superb Gem New. This "d" position note is identical to the other three but it has the broadest margins, both top and bottom, of the group.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 7192 » National Bank Notes » Georgia

Fitzgerald, GA - $5 1929 Ty. 1 The Exchange NB Ch. # 8250
This is a truly rare note, as both of Fitzgerald's National Banks were closed on the same day, January 31, 1931. Only a minimal number of small notes were issued from each bank, with an identical census of known examples, now numbering three. Nice Fine+++, rare and desirable enough to see bidding reach or exceed...

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 7890 » National Bank Notes » Texas

Lancaster, TX - $10 1929 Ty. 1 First NB Ch. # 11423
A rare note from this Dallas County location that had just one bank that is represented by just four small notes in the census. Fine with a small ink stain in the bottom margin, this note is framed and is backed by a display from the bank of issue.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6620 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Act of June 30, 1812 $100 Treasury Note Extremely Fine. Considered by many collectors to be our nation's first federal currency, the War of 1812 issues were printed to finance the war effort against Great Britain. The "Second War of American Independence," as some historians have called this conflict, was caused by an extended disagreement between the United States and Great Britain over trade tariffs and violations of American maritime rights. With the demise of the First Bank of the United States and no provision for internal revenue taxes, the Treasury was left with meager choices of revenue to prosecute the war. In addition to the issue of federal bonds, the Treasury created these circulating notes that drew 5 2/5% interest per year.

This emergency issue was nearly completely redeemed, and surviving notes that were signed and issued are virtually non-existent. This specimen, an unsigned, unissued remainder note, is one of only two known examples of the design type (out of 15,000 originally issued). It is in nearly pristine condition, with its full original embossing and only a few folds to distract the viewer's attention. We have never before sold this rare type, and we expect considerable excitement among serious bidders. It is an extremely rare item that is not likely to be available again soon, and is likely to be the only opportunity many collectors will ever have to own a note from this issue.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6621 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Act of December 26, 1814 $100 Treasury Note Fair. A cut-cancelled example of this rare issue that was authorized near the end of the war, after the American armies had fought back the British advance on Baltimore following the sack and burning of Washington. The top margin of this note is brittle and aged, while the left, bottom, and right portions of the note are missing. Presumably this note was a signed, undated remainder, but it is impossible to know since the portion of the note bearing the signatures is gone. A couple of long splits are reinforced on the back. Only five examples are known for the design type in any grade, and while this note is excessively rare, it is extremely difficult to estimate and we will leave it to the collectors to determine its value.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6622 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Act of February 24, 1815 $50 Treasury Note Poor. A hole-punch cancelled example of this rare issue with signatures, indicating that it once served as circulating currency. While undeniably scarce, this note is falling apart, and exists in several pieces with scotch tape bleeding through in several areas. Offered without estimate, as it is difficult to determine the value of this low grade item.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6623 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Act of February 15, 1815 $10 Treasury Note Fine-Very Fine. A cut-cancelled remainder with signatures of Clarke and Fox, crisp but with a couple of repaired edge tears and a hinge on the reverse that reinforces the cancellation. Authorized at the end of the War of 1812, after the tremendous American victory at New Orleans had been won by General Andrew Jackson and one day before the Treaty of Ghent was ratified by Congress, this issue is extremely rare in all grades. We expect this fully acceptable example to bring at least...

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6624 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Lovely Porter Counterfeit Detector. This beautiful antique brass, mahogany and diamond-cut French glass counterfeit detector is one of about a half-dozen that we know of. Although the date of manufacture is not stated, it appears to us to be of late-19th century vintage, most likely between 1870 and 1890. The device consists of a brass frame marked with alphanumeric coordinates, a glass plate with small squares, similar to graph paper, and two sliding panels on which to juxtapose a genuine bill and a suspected counterfeit of the same type. By manipulating brass knobs, the notes may be moved into positions where their design features can be compared with respect to horizontal and vertical axes. Being in incredible, virtually as-made condition, this Porter would be the highlight of any collection of counterfeit detectors, and it stands very well on its own as an association item to a collection of fine currency. We sold two of these Porters last January; both brought right around $5000 ($5170 and $4840). This one is as nice as either of them, perfect but for a few minor surface marks on the wood that would probably rub out with furniture polish.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6625 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Fr. 35 $1 1880 Legal Tender Face and Back Proofs. A second perfect pair of Federal proofs. This pair like the lot above has signatures and a straight zero serial number. Both the face and back are razor sharp impressions that allow the finest of lines that were placed on these fresh plates by the engraver to show exactly as they were intended. Both face and back are as perfect as they could be and we would expect this major rarity to easily fetch...

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6627 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

$10 First Charter Specimen Gem New. This India paper Proof has margins the size of a perfectly centered regular issue note. Unlike other First Charter Proof examples we have sold, this piece merely has four small punch cancels, rather than eight, and lacks the red printed "Specimen" designation found on other Proof examples. This Proof is printed using the tombstone of the First National Bank of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is the first such example we've seen. This is an extremely rare item, as are all Federal Proofs, and, in our opinion, these specimens represent one of the most overlooked and undervalued collecting areas in paper money today.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6628 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

$2 Essay Back.
From the 1986 Bowers & Merena Ezra Cole collection sale, where it was described as follows:
"$2 Essay note for an undetermined series. Unlisted in Hessler. Choice New. Uniface printing on a card. Circa 1860-64? This note is very likely an early Legal Tender experimental engraving. There is no indication of the engraver or series. Probably unique. Formerly in the Robert Friedberg collection sold by William Donlon November 25, 1975."
Sold in 1986 for $880, and likely now worth...

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6629 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

$5 Essay Back.
Lot 4009 in the January, 1986 Bowers & Merena Ezra Cole Sale where it was described:
"$5 back design essay note. Unlisted in Hessler. New, with mounting remnants on the blank side. With National Bank Note Co. , New York printed at the lower margin. It is a uniface printing on india paper, and mounted on a card. Circa 1860-64? Probably the experimental design was intended for use on the early Legal Tender issues, or possibly this back was planned for the First Charter National Bank Note series. It is an extremely rare if not unique item for the connoisseur."
Sold for $880 in 1986 and likely worth today...

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6630 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

$10 Essay Back.
Lot 4011 in the January, 1986 Bowers & Merena Ezra Cole collection sale, where it was described as follows:
$10 Essay of unadopted Demand Note or Legal Tender Back Design. Unlisted in Hessler. Choice New. Circa 1860-62. Uniface. Printed on india paper. Paper is pure white with a vivid green impression. It is a virtually flawless note, with only a tiny nip at the top right corner which doe not inhibit the desirability of this item in any way. American Bank Note Co. New-York is printed twice at the lower margin.
The obligation reads SECURED BY THE PLEDGE OF PUBLIC STOCKS OF THE UNITED STATES within a circle at the center, and it differs considerably from the version used on the early Demand, Legal Tender and Interest-Bearing currency issues. Very likely this item is unique."
Sold in 1986 for $880, and likely worth today...

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6631 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Fr. 2 $5 1861 Demand Note Choice Extremely Fine. One of the very nicest Demand Notes we have ever seen from any of the districts. Over 100 examples are known, but the great majority grade Fine or weaker, with fewer than ten pieces known to grade Extra Fine or better. There is a real temptation to call this beauty About New, as it comes respectably close. Both signatures are clear and legible, the note is totally free of problems, it has no circulation soil whatever and the printing is sharp and clean. Demand notes have been and continue to be extremely undervalued in this cataloger's opinion, and this is one of the very finest that collectors will ever have the opportunity to purchase.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6632 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Fr. 2 $5 1861 Demand Note Very Good-Fine. A solid no problem example of our earliest Federal type. It has good signatures, excellent color for the grade and far better centering than we have come to expect from this often poorly cut type.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6633 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Fr. 3 $5 1861 Demand Note Extremely Fine. This Boston Demand Note is one of the finest examples of its number in existence. There are about 90 known, and fewer than a half-dozen of them are graded this high - and none are About New or better. The note has a few light vertical folds, but they're only visible on close examination. The colors are perfect, and the surfaces, unlike those of almost all Demand Notes, are unmolested and strictly original. We have always felt that Demand Notes were among the most underrated of all types of Federal Currency. That is even truer of these excessively rare, higher-grade pieces (the huge majority of Demand Notes grade Fine and lower, and we are not convinced that a single uncirculated example exists.)

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6634 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Fr. 8 $10 1861 Demand Note Very Good-Fine. A very respectable example of this always desirable issue, the paper is quite solid and no mentionable flaws are present. This note is new to the census, which still numbers less than three dozen for this Boston issue.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6635 » Demand Notes » Demand Notes

Fr. 8 $10 1861 Demand Note Very Good. Closely margined and with a few minor edge split repairs but all in all a rather respectable example of a Boston Ten Dollar Demand Note.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6636 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 16 $1 1862 Legal Tender Gem New. An absolutely Superb piece in all respects but for the centering of the back, which is low but clear of the edge. Viewed from the face, this note is absolutely stunning, with huge margins, particularly at the top, which includes the centering mark and the green-ink plate number. The note is strictly original, with good embossing.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6637 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 16 $1 1862 Legal Tender Gem New. Full, flashy bright colors and excellent centering for the issue are immediately apparent when this earliest of our $1 bills is examined. On closer inspection, the fact that the note has all its original embossing can be easily seen. Original paper quality on this early thin-paper issue is something to be coveted, as it is rarely seen. A splendid Type Note.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6638 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 16 $1 Legal Tender Very Choice New. A very pretty, strictly original example of this early Legal Ace. It's far better margined than these are usually seen, with good colors and excellent back centering. A very nice piece that would grade fully Gem if the bottom margin, which is certainly adequate, were slightly broader.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6639 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 16 $1 1862 Legal Tender CGA Choice Uncirculated 64. Lots of color, and although it's not perfectly centered, the note is rather well margined for the issue, the only really close area's being at the left end of the bottom.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6640 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 16 $1 1862 Legal Tender Very Choice New. Incredible color and just about the best original embossing we have seen for a note of this design. The note itself would be a perfect Gem if the adequate margins were a little bit larger.

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Sep 21, 2001

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Auction 269 | Lot 6641 » Legal Tender Notes » Legal Tender Notes

Fr. 16 $1 1862 Legal Tender Choice New. The note has Gem color and margins but there is a small as made spot near the Vignette.

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Sep 21, 2001

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