| Slot: |
1861 $5 Demand Note Fr. 1-5a |
| Item: |
Demand Note - Philadelphia
$5 1861 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG F 15 NET |
| Cert #: |
8012251-002
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Owner Comments
These first $5 Demand Notes issued by the Federal Government are rare, but not among my favorite designs. They borrowed design elements from obsolete bank notes, and were printed privately by the American Bank Note Company. This note, which seems generously graded as 15 Net, was acquired in the September 2013 Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
1862-1863 $5 Legal Tender Fr. 61-63b |
| Item: |
Legal Tender
$5 1863 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 |
| Cert #: |
1144855-016
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Owner Comments
This early Legal Tender was issued during the Civil War in 1863. The statue Freedom on top of the Capital Building in WA DC is on the left and a portrait of Alexander Hamilton is on the right. A small repair is noted on the holder, but did not result in a Net grade. A really beautiful note.
Acquired privately from a dealer in 2013.
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| Slot: |
1869 $5 Legal Tender Fr. 64 |
| Item: |
Legal Tender
$5 1869 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 NET |
| Cert #: |
8008639-001
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Owner Comments
This Rainbow Wood Chopper was graded 25 Net due to being retouched. I really have no idea what this means, and can't see it when I examine the note closely. A beautiful note for the grade. EBay.
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| Slot: |
1875-1907 $5 Legal Tender Fr. 65-92 |
| Item: |
Legal Tender
$5 1907 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
2500588-007
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Owner Comments
My second $5 large note added. This one is known as the Wood Chopper Note, and the obverse highlights the iconic symbol of the American pioneer spirit, the wood chopper with his axe, his dog, his wife and child, and his gun by his side. The design is spectacular and the reverse is very ornate. Acquired in July 2012.
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| Slot: |
1886 $5 Silver Certificate Fr. 259-265 |
| Item: |
Silver Certificate
$5 1886 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 NET |
| Cert #: |
8012437-001
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Owner Comments
One of the most spectacular designs in American currency, in my opinion, is this 1886 Silver Certificate, also known as the Morgan Silver Dollar Note. It is ranked as number 21 in the book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers, but I think deserves a much higher ranking.
As a collector of Morgan Silver Dollars, this note combines the best of both coin and currency worlds in one collectible. I would like to have a higher graded example, but the cost is just prohibitive. Acquired August 2013 from Stacks.
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| Slot: |
1891 $5 Silver Certificate Fr. 266-267 |
| Item: |
Silver Certificate
$5 1891 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 35 |
| Cert #: |
1403188-001
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Owner Comments
The fourth note added to my $5 large size note type set is this Fr. 267 Silver Certificate. This is a beautiful mid-grade note that is similar to the 1886 "Morgan Dollar" note on the front, but without the Morgan Dollar on the reverse.
I acquired this note in the October 2012 Dallas Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
1896 $5 Silver Certificate Fr. 268-270 |
| Item: |
Silver Certificate
$5 1896 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 |
| Cert #: |
8012251-003
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Owner Comments
Merry Christmas to me for 2013. It's been a great year and the acquisition of this $5 Educational Note completes my $5 Large Note Type Set. The note is appropriately graded 25, but appears much nicer. It is definitely at the top end of its grade.
The $5 Educational Note is ranked number 5 in the book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers, and its ranking is well deserved. The note design is spectacular and depicts Electricity Presenting Light to the World. Electricity is shown as a winged goddess at center, with Jupiter on the left representing force, Fame at bottom center with her trumpet representing the progress of the nation, and Peace at right with a dove. Portraits of Generals Grant and Sheridan are on the back.
Acquired on eBay in July 2013.
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| Slot: |
1899 $5 Silver Certificate Fr. 271-281 |
| Item: |
Silver Certificate
$5 1899 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG XF 45 |
| Cert #: |
1006187-008
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Owner Comments
This is one of the most popular US currency notes, with the iconic image of the Indian Chief on the face. It is ranked number 10 of the 100 Greatest American Currency Notes (book by Q. David Bowers).
The note depicts the portrait of Running Antelope, an Indian Chief of the Sioux Tribe that signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868 and received a medal from then President Andrew Johnson. The Chief is wearing the medal in the portrait on the face of the note.
The Chief later traveled to Washington DC to meet the President and had his picture taken. In the original picture, the Chief was wearing only 3 long feathers. The designer of the note changed it to a full-feathered head dress similar to those worn by another tribe.
This note is readily available, but prices remain high due to its popularity. Prices peaked in 2008, and I acquired this note on eBay in 2013 for 60% of the peak 2008 price. Many notes have failed to regain the 2008 price levels, even 5 years later, and due to its high population levels, this note is still well below 2008 price levels.
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| Slot: |
1923 $5 Silver Certificate Fr. 282 |
| Item: |
Silver Certificate
$5 1923 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 |
| Cert #: |
5010214-007
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Owner Comments
This is a beautiful Lincoln Porthole Note, graded 64 with Good Embossing noted on the holder. I went a little over my budget to get this one. Okay, I went a lot over my budget. I really like this note, so I stretched to get it. I will have to make it up somewhere else. Heritage May 2013.
The Lincoln Porthole is ranked number 30 in the book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes (Q. David Bowers).
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| Slot: |
1890 $5 Treasury Note Fr. 359-361 |
| Item: |
Treasury Note
$5 1890 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 35 NET |
| Cert #: |
8012437-002
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Owner Comments
Ranked number 90 in the 100 Greatest American Currency Notes (book by Q. David Bowers), I think this should be ranked much higher. It is one of my favorite designs. The reverse is just spectacular.
I bought this note from the Heritage auction in September 2013 and it was already graded by PCGS as 30. I crossed it over to PMG and received an upgrade to 35, but a downgrade to Net for repairs. It appears to be appropriately graded to me.
I took a close look at the note and it is indeed repaired, but very professionally done and I think the look of the note was enhanced. I was shocked and disappointed that PCGS did not identify the repair, as it was evident if you knew where to look. I did not expect that from PCGS and makes me think twice about buying PCGS graded notes. I can understand a difference of opinion between a 30 and a 35, but not missing a repair. Nevertheless, I like the note and am going to keep it.
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| Slot: |
1891 $5 Treasury Note Fr. 362-365 |
| Item: |
Treasury Note
$5 1891 Large Size |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 |
| Cert #: |
2501920-011
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Owner Comments
This is a mid-grade General Thomas Military Note. It shows a portrait of General George Thomas in full military uniform. The back is not as ornate as the 1890 Treasury Note, but does not command the premium pricing either.
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| Slot: |
Original-1875 $5 National Bank Note Fr. 394-408 |
| Item: |
$5 1875 National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 |
| Cert #: |
8008639-002
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Owner Comments
There are beautifully detailed vignettes on this Original 1875 National Bank Note from the Lincoln National Bank of the City of New York. Acquired - Lyn Knight auction.
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| Slot: |
1882 Brown Back $5 National Bank Note Fr. 466-478 |
| Item: |
$5 1882 Brown Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG 65 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
1511761-001
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Owner Comments
This beautiful 1882 Brown Back is ranked #33 in the 100 Greatest American Currency Notes, and it deserves its ranking. The design is detailed and ornate, and the reverse illustrates the state shield, in this case for New York.
Another highlight of this note is the signature of the bank president, the one and only J.P. Morgan, also known as Pierpont Morgan. He is one of the most famous bankers in the history of the United States, and was recently profiled on the History Channel series "The Men Who Built America."
I acquired this note in the November 2012 Stacks/Bowers auction, and also won the $20 Brown Back from the same bank. I just missed winning the matching $10 Brown Back, with another bidder going over market value to get it.
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| Slot: |
1882 Date Back $5 National Bank Note Fr. 532-538b |
| Item: |
$5 1882 Date Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 25 NET |
| Cert #: |
8012437-004
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Owner Comments
This an 1882 Date Back National Bank Note from the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank of San Francisco. I really like the name of this bank. Note appears to be appropriately graded, but the net grade seems unnecessary. The rust spots noted on the holder are barely noticeable on the reverse and do not detract from the appearance of the note at all. Signatures are bold and unusual. Acquired on eBay in July 2013.
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| Slot: |
1882 Value Back $5 National Bank Note Fr. 573-575b |
| Item: |
$5 1882 Value Back National Bank Notes |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 NET |
| Cert #: |
8012437-003
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Owner Comments
This 1882 Value Back, so named because of the note value spelled out on the back of the note, appears to be appropriately graded. The minor splits do not detract from the appearance of the note. No bottom margin on the back of the note, and it is not uncommon for the type to have at least one tight or non existent margin.
The note still has some nice color, and the hand written signatures are clear and bold. W. Hammond was the cashier at the time, and Stoddard Jess signed as President. The First National Bank was organized in 1875 and located at the corner of Second and Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. The bank survived the Panic of 1893.
Acquired Heritage 9/13. This note was graded 30 Net by PCGS and crossed over to PMG at the same grade.
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