An incredible example of one of the most iconic design types
in all of American currency is slated to be offered in Stack’s Bowers
Galleries’ Official US Currency Auction of the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money this
August in Pittsburgh. The Fr.268 Series of 1896 $5 is part of the famed
“Educational” series of Silver Certificates known for their artistically
stunning designs and motifs representing history and achievement.
The central vignette on the face is
titled, Electricity Presenting Light to the World and is based on
the work of mural artist Walter Shaw. The exposed breasts of certain figures in
the design caused several Boston society ladies to rally against the note,
while some banks refused to accept them. The back design was conceived by
Lorenzo H. Hatch and Thomas F. Morris. It features a winged Victory at the
center, with wings spread toward vignettes of Ulysses S. Grant and Philip
Sheridan, Union generals during the Civil War who were credited with the Union
victory.
This example is graded Superb Gem
New 67 PPQ by PCGS Currency. It is framed by wide margins and is ideally
centered as the Superb Gem grade assignment would suggest. The plate impression
is darkly inked and displayed in vivid detail. The red and blue overprints are
boldly printed and sharply detailed. Certainly this is among the finest
examples of this type. This popular design type is ranked #5 in 100
Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David M.
Sundman.
The note carries a pre-auction
estimate of $20,000-$30,000. The Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Currency
Auction of the ANA World’s Fair of Money will be held August 4-7, 2020. For
information on consigning to the auction please contact Director of Currency
Peter Treglia at petert@stacksbowers.com or Currency Specialist Brad
Ciociola at bciociola@stacksbowers.com.
