Collection PL

United States 1929 Type 1 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note - The First National Bank of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Fr. 1801-1, Charter 1, PMG 25 Very Fine)

The First National Bank of Philadelphia holds Charter 1, the very first federal national bank charter issued under the National Banking Act of 1863. Granted on June 20, 1863, it became the prototype for a new system that tied local banknotes to United States bonds and standardized design, redemption, and supervision across the country. Charter 1 anchored Philadelphia finance from the Civil War through the Great Depression. ... Read more →

United States 1914 – 50 Dollars Federal Reserve Note – Philadelphia District (Fr.1035, White | Mellon, PMG 30 EPQ)

The Series of 1914 was the inaugural issue of Federal Reserve Notes following the creation of the Federal Reserve System in December 1913. For the first time, the United States possessed a unified national currency directly issued through the newly organized regional Reserve Banks. The Philadelphia District, designated by the letter C and the numeral 3, served as one of the twelve original Reserve Bank branches, linking the new central banking structure to the industrial and commercial heart of the Mid-Atlantic region. ... Read more →

United States 1929 Type 2 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note - The First National Bank of Easthampton, Massachusetts (Fr. 1801-2, Charter 428, PMG 63 EPQ)

The First National Bank of Easthampton, Massachusetts, Charter 428, was organized on May 17, 1864, during the first wave of the National Banking era. Originally titled The First National Bank of East Hampton, it shortened its name to Easthampton in 1903 as the town itself adopted the single-word spelling. The institution served a growing industrial community along the Manhan River, best known for its textile and elastic mills financed by local manufacturer and bank founder Samuel Williston. ... Read more →

United States 1929 Type 1 - 10 Dollars National Bank Note - The Farmers National Bank of Sussex, New Jersey (Fr. 1801-1, Charter 1221, PMG 30 EPQ)

The Farmers National Bank of Sussex, New Jersey, traces its charter to May 20 1865 when it opened in nearby Deckertown, a small agricultural hub in Sussex County. Chartered as number 1221, it succeeded the pre-existing Farmers Bank and quickly became the county’s central financial institution. The town adopted the name Sussex in 1903, prompting the bank’s title change the same year. ... Read more →

United States ca. 1970s – C.O.P.E. Experimental Test Note (Serial A82432955A, PCGS 65 PPQ Gem New)

Blank-format experimental note printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing during the 1970s as part of internal testing for the C.O.P.E. (Currency Overprinting and Processing Equipment) program. This machinery represented a major modernization step in U.S. ... Read more →

United States 1874 – 25 Cents Fourth Issue Fractional Currency (Fr.1301, Allison | Spinner, Watermarked Paper, 40mm Red Seal, PMG 62 EPQ Uncirculated)

The Fourth Issue of fractional currency, introduced between 1869 and 1875, marked the culmination of America’s Civil War–era experiment with small-denomination paper money. This twenty-five cent note (Friedberg 1301) bears the engraved signatures of Treasury officials John Allison and Francis Spinner and was printed by the National Bank Note Company of New York under government contract. Fractional notes such as this filled the coin shortage caused by hoarding of gold and silver during and after the war. ... Read more →

United States 1929 Type 1 – 10 Dollars National Bank Note – The First National Bank of Taylorville, Illinois (Fr.1801-1, Charter 3579, PMG 30 Very Fine)

This Series 1929 Type 1 ten-dollar note from The First National Bank of Taylorville, Illinois (Charter 3579) is a national-level rarity and a true anomaly in U.S. banking history. The bank officially ceased operations in October 1929—barely months after the introduction of small-size National Bank Notes—making it one of the first casualties of the transition from large-size to small-size currency. ... Read more →

United States 1929 Type 2 – Uncut Pair of $5 National Bank Notes with 1944 Bank Letter – The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas (Charter 13076, W.D. Ferguson Provenance)

Uncut consecutive pair of Series of 1929 Type 2 five-dollar National Bank Notes from The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas (Charter 13076), accompanied by the original 1944 letter of transmittal from the bank’s president, W. D. Ferguson. ... Read more →

United States 1929 Type 1 – 5 Dollars National Bank Note – The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas (Charter 13076, Raw Circulated Example)

Circulated five-dollar note from The Thomas County National Bank of Colby, Kansas (Charter 13076), Series of 1929 Type 1. This example represents the true working currency of the Great Plains during the Depression years—money that passed through farms, shops, and local hands in northwest Kansas at a time when the nation’s economy was in flux. The note follows the standard small-size Type 1 national design with Abraham Lincoln’s engraved portrait at center, flanked by bold denomination counters and the brown Treasury seal at right. ... Read more →

United States 1988A — 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, Philadelphia District (Friedberg 2028-C) Insufficient Inking on Face Error, PMG 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated

This 1988A 10 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the Philadelphia District (Friedberg 2028-C, CA Block) exhibits a major Insufficient Inking Error across its face printing. The left and right '10' denomination medallions, top border inscriptions, and parts of the ornamental scrollwork show extreme fading, with many engraved lines barely visible. The green Treasury seal and serial numbers remain sharp and fully inked, confirming that the fault occurred during the black intaglio printing pass, prior to the overprint stage. ... Read more →

United States 1995 — 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note, San Francisco District (Friedberg 1985-L) Insufficient Ink on Face Error, PCGS 58 PPQ Choice About New

A dramatic production flaw on this 1995 5 Dollars Federal Reserve Note from the San Francisco District (Friedberg 1985-L, L Block) reveals an Intaglio Insufficient Inking Error — a condition in which portions of the face plate failed to receive adequate ink during printing. The result is a visibly faded or incomplete impression across the left side of the note, most noticeable in the top and bottom '5' corner medallions and border scrollwork. The green Treasury seal and serial numbers remain fully struck, confirming that the error occurred during the black intaglio face pass, prior to the overprint stage. ... Read more →

United States 1929 Type 1 - 20 Dollars National Bank Note - The First National Bank of Youngstown, Ohio (Fr. 1802-1, Charter 3, Legacy Currency Grading Fine 15)

Low-charter national. The First National Bank of Youngstown operated under Charter 3, a single-digit charter number issued in the opening days of the National Banking era. Early charters are coveted because they document the very first adopters of the 1863 National Banking system and their numbers stayed with the bank through every redesign and consolidation. ... Read more →