Newport Ridge Collection - Large Ones
1896 $1 Silver Certificate Fr. 224-225

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Note Details

Set Details
Note Description: Silver Certificate
$1 1896 Large Size
Grade: 65 EPQ
Country: US
Note Number: 224
Seal Type: Small Red w/ Rays
Signatures/
Vignettes:		 Tillman
Morgan
Certification #: 1049014-002  
Owner: GSA_Gem_Quest
Sets Competing: Newport Ridge Collection - Large Ones  Score: 3525
Date Added: 12/19/2009
Research: See PMG's Census Report for this Note

Owner's Description

Educational Silver Certificates have inspired many collectors to further pursue the hobby, including myself, and this stunning example by all means fits that bill. Graded 65EPQ with great margins on the obverse and reverse, this note has nice color with vivid details. Notice the intricate artistic detail in the engraving "History Instructing Youth." This large-size Silver Certificate is a popular note, and was voted number 7 of the "100 Greatest American Currency Notes" ever printed, and the highest rated $1 note, as indicated in the Bowers book by the same name.

When Thomas F. Morris became the chief of the Bureau of Printing & Engraving in 1893, a decision was made to produce a new series - $1, $2, $5 - of Silver Certificate Notes. He hired three famous muralists of the time - Blashfield, Low, and Shirlaw - to create scenic motifs on the different notes. They did mockups for all the denominations up to the $1,000 note, but only the three lowest denominations were ever produced, creating the beautiful "Educational Notes" series.

The $1 was engraved by Will H. Low and shows the allegorical illustration of “History Instructing Youth,” looking down on Washington D.C. The border of the note lists the names of many prominent Americans - from Lincoln to Emerson - politicians, inventors, military, and artists. The U.S. Constitution is open on the right.

Martha and George Washington grace the back of the note, framed by scroll-work and ornamental engraving unsurpassed on today’s notes. Alfred Sealey engraved the back side of the note. The Educational series had a short life due to the complaints about the dark color, the difficulty in easily determining the denomination, and bankers comments about the ease with which the bills smudged. Nevertheless, they are prized by today’s currency collectors, and will always be in high demand.

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