Description and research notes
Large-size 1902 Plain Back twenty from The First National Bank of Taylorville, Illinois, Charter 3579, a seldom-seen issuer that entered receivership on October 18, 1929 at the very start of the small-size era. Organized and chartered in October 1886, the bank operated for more than four decades, but its total national-currency output was modest for an Illinois institution and survivorship today is extremely thin.
Face design shows Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch at left, blue charter numerals 3579, and the classic U.S. Bank Seal at right, with the bank title engraved across the center. Reverse carries the green vignette of America with shield and laurel before the U.S. Capitol, framed by heavy lathework and denomination counters. Hand-signed officer signatures are present though faded, consistent with a well-circulated community note that did real work in Christian County commerce.
Production details for this charter are instructive. The bank’s large-size notes were printed in 3x10-20 sheet layouts, with one twenty paired to three tens, which inherently limited the number of twenties produced relative to tens. By the time the Series 1929 conversion began, Taylorville closed so early that its small-size allocation was essentially not issued, making any note from this charter—large or small—important for state and national collections alike.
Serial 21634 documents a late Plain Back print. Paper shows honest circulation folds, edge wear, and scattered foxing, but retains strong ink in the blue overprints and clear device detail on both sides. As a raw Very Good survivor from a bank with almost no public sales history, this piece anchors the scarce large-size side of the Taylorville story and pairs historically with the ultra-rare 1929 Type 1 ghost note from the same charter.