Fr. 2231-B $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Banknote Choice Unc 64.. ...

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Ex-Binion's $1 Million Display $10,000

Fr. 2231-B $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Banknote Choice Unc 64.
A nicely preserved $10,000 with serial number B00003059A that was once part of the famed $1 million display at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The display was composed of a total of 100 Series 1934 $10,000 FRNs on the New York district framed by a large gold-color horseshoe. The open end of the horseshoe was on the bottom and the notes were exhibited in five columns of 20 notes each. The example in this lot is one of the nicest ten grand notes from that display with dark inks and white paper.

The first incarnation of the $1 million display was unveiled on December 11, 1954 at the newly remodeled Joe W. Brown Horseshoe Club. Mr. Brown had bought the gambling establishment from Benny Binion in 1953. It is said that the first display consisted of 100 $10,000 Gold Certificates in sequential order. However, Gold Certificates were illegal to own from 1933-64. Therefore, we would venture to guess that these first display notes were in actuality $10,000 FRNs and who knows if they were in sequential order. Mr. Brown sold his $1 million display and the Horseshoe back to Benny Binion in 1959. Mr. Binion dismantled the display and an armored car was used as a decoy, while Binion took the notes in his cowboy boots to his bank to be deposited. Later, Mr. Binion decided to recreate the popular $1 million attraction in 1964. This second incarnation became the most photographed Las Vegas icon of all time. The second display was sold in December 1999 by Mr. Binion's daughter to a coin dealer and the Horseshoe was eventually sold, too. More on this fascinating subject including a list of serial numbers and plate letters of the display notes, a picture of the display, plus how the notes were arranged by serial number can be found in the Peter Huntoon article, "The Binion $10,000 Notes of Las Vegas, Nevada," in Paper Money, Society of Paper Money Collectors, May/June 1999, Whole No. 201, pages 85-86.