The upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Currency Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo will feature a stunning Fr. 271 1899 $5 Silver Certificate graded Superb Gem New 68 PPQ by PCGS. This note is the single finest Fr. 271 to be graded by PCGS. Furthermore, the note is one of only four out of more than 2,500 $5 “Indian Chiefs” graded by PCGS to achieve the PCGS Gem New 68 PPQ grade.
The Fr. 271 is the first Friedberg number for this extremely popular design type featuring the bust of Chief Tatokainyanka, better known as Running Antelope, at center. The portrait was engraved by B.E.P. engraver George F.C. Smillie. This design type is ranked number 10 in the book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David Sundman. Fr. 271 notes feature the engraved signatures of U.S. Treasury officials Judson W. Lyons and Ellis H. Roberts.
With essentially perfect centering, broad margins and deep embossing, the quality of this note is beyond anything you could expect from a note of this era. The deep blue seal and serial numbers are so nicely embossed that the serial number is clearly legible from the back of the note. The boldly printed black inks provide vivid detail of this popular American currency design. This is truly an elite level note and will carry a pre-auction estimate of $30,000 to $40,000 when it crosses the block this November.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo will take place November 5-8, 2015, in Baltimore, Maryland. To view lots and bid visit www.stacksbowers.com. We are currently accepting consignments for our 2016 auction season. To include your items, contact a consignment director at 800-458-4646 or visit our website at StacksBowers.com. For currency questions please contact Brad Ciociola at bciociola@stacksbowers.com or Peter Treglia at petert@stacksbowers.com.
