| Slot: |
Original-1875 $20 National Bank Note Fr. 424-439 |
| Item: |
$20 1875 National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 |
| Cert #: |
8080675-006
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Owner Comments
Not a scarce Boston bank, with numerous First Charter aces and deuces reported, but this is the only First Charter $20 listed from this institution that closed in 1923. A very pretty example, with vibrant ink colors and plenty of eye appeal. It has also managed to avoid being subjected to the notorious "New England" trim. Despite a few pinholes, it's a very attractive example of a much scarcer type and denomination. PMG has less than 200 notes registered for the 1875 $20 NBN. A rarity by any measure.
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| Slot: |
1882 Brown Back $20 National Bank Note Fr. 493-506 |
| Item: |
$20 1882 Brown Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 |
| Cert #: |
5012752-001
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Owner Comments
Not only is this a nice $20 Brown Back for the price, it is also one of my "Collectible Banks" Ch #2491 of Los Angeles where I have all the denominations for the 1902 Blue Seal set.
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| Slot: |
1882 Date Back $20 National Bank Note Fr. 549-557 |
| Item: |
$20 1882 Date Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG 63 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
5011457-010
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Owner Comments
I prefer collecting Federal notes however, there are so many beautiful and rare NBN's that I have to do a little side collecting. PMG's census lists 65 Fr. 552. 10 have been graded the same as this note and SIX notes have been graded higher. There are several notes that were preserved right in the range on this serial number. There is a 58PPQ for sale now on Ebay for $1945. I picked this off Heritage for $1703.75 for almost 3000 points. I like that point ratio and the gorgeous note that will grace my name! I thought a few 60 or above rated NBN's are good value investing now.
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| Slot: |
1882 Value Back $20 National Bank Note Fr. 580-585 |
| Item: |
$20 1882 Value Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 |
| Cert #: |
5013768-020
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Owner Comments
An attractive mid-grade example of a better type and denomination from this Madison County bank and a note that is making its first public appearance since a 2003 auction. Nice color and even wear are the attributes of this $20 Value Back. From the RFK Collection
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| Slot: |
1902 Red Seal $20 National Bank Note Fr. 639-641 |
| Item: |
$20 1902 Red Seal National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 35 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
8056021-005
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Owner Comments
I have collected the $5, $10 & $20 Red Seals from Ch 6301, continuing my passion for Pittsburgh Charters at the turn of the century. Indeed, I like the Mellon signatures from this Charter as well. Pittsburgh, PA - $20 1902 Red Seal Fr. 639 The Mellon NB Ch. # (E)6301 PMG Choice Very Fine 35 EPQ.
While several hundred large size are in the census from this popular private name Pittsburgh bank, this is only the eighth $20 Red Seal to be reported. It is a bright, well printed, and original example with just some light folds.
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| Slot: |
1902 Blue Seal $20 National Bank Note Fr. 642-649a |
| Item: |
$20 1902 Date Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG AU 58 |
| Cert #: |
8059262-001
|
Owner Comments
Date Back $20 San Francisco Bill. I expected a 40-45 for the minor corner folds. Pleasantly surprised with the 58! I have a few PCGS notes in my collection yet according to a well known and knowledgeable currency expert..." Remember if it isn't EPQ it can't be Gem at PMG unlike other TPG's who seem to think a pressed and doctored note can be Gem, even Superb without their PPQ moniker. Ridiculous and beyond the pale and the main reason, beyond the worst holder design of any TPG services, I abhor PCGS holders!!" Words from the expert himself. I will pass on all PCGS notes unless there is a sentimental reason. Never for attempting to complete a set...
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| Slot: |
1902 Plain Back $20 National Bank Note Fr. 650-663a |
| Item: |
$20 1902 Plain Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG AU 58 |
| Cert #: |
8050658-001
|
Owner Comments
I continue to be lured into Pittsburgh charters even though I have no connection to the city. I like Ch #252 because I may be able to build a set with most denominations and now I am a fan of Ch #6901 for the Mellon name. One of the great names in American history.
From Wikipedia:
Andrew William Mellon (/'m?l?n/; March 24, 1855 – August 26, 1937), sometimes A.W., was an American banker, businessman, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector, and politician. From the wealthy Mellon family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he established a vast business empire before transitioning into politics. He served as United States Secretary of the Treasury from March 9, 1921, to February 12, 1932, presiding over the boom years of the 1920s and the Wall Street crash of 1929. A conservative Republican, Mellon favored policies that reduced taxation and the national debt in the aftermath of World War I.
Mellon's father, Thomas Mellon, rose to prominence in Pittsburgh as a banker and attorney. Andrew began working at his father's bank, T. Mellon & Sons, in the early 1870s, eventually becoming the leading figure in the institution. He later re-named T. Mellon & Sons as Mellon National Bank and established another financial institution, the Union Trust Company. By the end of 1913, Mellon National Bank held more money in deposits than any other bank in Pittsburgh, and the second-largest bank in the region was controlled by Union Trust. In the course of his business career, Mellon owned or helped finance Alcoa, the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Old Overholt whiskey, Standard Steel Car Company, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Koppers, the Pittsburgh Coal Company, the Carborundum Company, Union Steel Company, the McClintic-Marshall Construction Company, Gulf Oil, and numerous other businesses. He was also an influential donor to the Republican Party during the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.
In 1921, newly-elected President Warren G. Harding chose Mellon as his Secretary of the Treasury. Mellon would remain in office until 1932, serving under Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover, all three of whom were members of the Republican Party. Mellon sought to reform federal taxation in the aftermath of World War I, cutting taxes on top earners but leaving in place a progressive income tax. Some of Mellon's proposals were enacted by the Revenue Act of 1921 and the Revenue Act of 1924, but it was not until the passage of Revenue Act of 1926 that the "Mellon plan" was fully realized. He also presided over a reduction in the national debt, which dropped substantially in the 1920s. Mellon's influence in state and national politics reached its zenith during Coolidge's presidency; one observer noted that "it would be fair to call the [Coolidge] administration the reign of Coolidge and Mellon."
Mellon's national reputation collapsed following the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression. Mellon participated in various efforts by the Hoover administration to revive the economy and maintain the international economic order, but he opposed direct government intervention in the economy. After Congress began impeachment proceedings against Mellon, President Hoover shifted Mellon to the position of United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. Mellon returned to private life after Hoover's defeat in the 1932 presidential election by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Beginning in 1933, the federal government launched a tax fraud investigation on Mellon, leading to a high-profile case that ended with Mellon's exoneration. Shortly before his death in 1937, Mellon helped establish the National Gallery of Art, a national art museum. His philanthropic efforts also played a major role in the later establishment of Carnegie Mellon University and the National Portrait Gallery.
Quotes
Strong men have sound ideas and the force to make these ideas effective.
Give tax breaks to large corporations, so that money can trickle down to the general public, in the form of extra jobs.
A balanced program for tax reform based upon the common sense idea of lowering taxes out of surplus revenues.
This note was inexpensive and I thought it would grade 40 or 45 so a pleasant surprise it came out to a 58. PMG ordained it with the comment "Good Embossing" which is great although I don't understand how embossing can be something special and the note not achieve a EPQ moniker.
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| Slot: |
1914 Red Seal $20 Federal Reserve Note Fr. 952a-963b |
| Item: |
Federal Reserve Note Richmond
$20 1914 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 |
| Cert #: |
8066085-004
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Owner Comments
Incredibly rare Richmond red seal. Track and price lists 14 notes of this type. PMG has graded only 4 of these notes. This is the lowest grade of all the notes. I learned my lesson again. Lyn Knight described this as "Among the finest graded" and "A very scarce Richmond $20 Red Seal FRN and only the 19th recorded. Excellent centering and good, bold reds. The last one sold in this grade was seven years ago at $4,140. These are average XF and AU listed but neither graded or confirmed grades. The Cleveland Collection" Unfortunately I did not discover until I received the note that the description was for a 956a not the 956b. I sent a long email describing this to the support and guess what...they didn't even bother to respond. Jokes on me. These auctioneers don't give a hoot about you so at your own risk.
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| Slot: |
1914 Blue Seal $20 Federal Reserve Note Fr. 964-1011c |
| Item: |
Federal Reserve Note Cleveland
$20 1914 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
1526072-004
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Owner Comments
Surprisingly for the number known, there are very few pieces graded 64 or over. Track & Price shows a census of over 1,100 with just seven Gems and eight choice examples. PCGS has graded 141 examples with only eight graded 60 or higher. PMG has reported 189 graded notes with 6 graded higher at 65 EPQ and 7 the same grade as this note. This 64 EPQ is a grade rarity of a very common number.
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| Slot: |
1882 $20 Gold Certificate Fr. 1174-1178 |
| Item: |
Gold Certificate
$20 1882 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 |
| Cert #: |
1408617-006
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Owner Comments
This Fr-1178R is a completely unique note. It was recently identified, by the inimitable ddr70, that this is a pre-star replacement note. The font is from paging machines that predated rotary printing. However, instead of using rotary machine for replacements, the BEP would rely on older paging machines. The switch from paging machines to rotary printing occurred at ~ serial number 11,700,000 as published by Shawn Hewitt and Peter Huntoon. Rotary machines did not have the "droopy two," the "hunchback three" and long-handle four that is obvious on this note and of course the serial number greater than 11,700,000 on this note proves it is a replacement. If it had that famous little star on the note, it would be really valuable. Without the star, it's kind of like just another note. Bummer.
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| Slot: |
1905-1922 $20 Gold Certificate Fr. 1179-1187 |
| Item: |
Gold Certificate
$20 1905 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 |
| Cert #: |
8090244-002
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Owner Comments
The most beautiful note ever designed or circulated in the U.S.
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