Large size Federal type notes were the stars in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March Baltimore auction, with condition rarity PCGS graded notes leading the way. Two top pop notes were the top performers. A Fr. 300 1891 $10 Silver Certificate, graded PCGS Superb Gem New 68 PPQ, realized an impressive $70,500. A stunning Fr. 1215 1922 $100 Gold Certificate, graded Superb Gem New 67 PPQ, also realized $70,500.
Several other Gold notes sold for strong prices, including a handsome Fr. 1216a 1882 $500 Gold Certificate, graded PMG Very Fine 30, that crossed the block at $39,656. An impressive Fr. 1200 1922 $50 Gold Certificate, graded PCGS Gem New 66 PPQ, sold for $23,500. A newly discovered Fr. 1174 1882 $20 Gold Certificate, graded PCGS Very Fine 30 PPQ, realized $17,625.
Another top pop PCGS graded note, a Fr. 844 1914 $5 Boston Federal Reserve Note, graded PCGS Superb Gem New 68 PPQ, sold for a whopping $19,975 against an estimate of $6,000 to $9,000. The note is the highest graded 1914 $5 Blue Seal at both PCGS and PMG.
Among small size Federal type notes an important Fr. 1500 1928 $1 Legal Tender Note, serial number 12 from the first sheet of notes issued, graded PMG Very Fine 20, sold for $8,225. The sheet reportedly was presented to President Franklin Roosevelt and then cut for members of his cabinet. The lot carried an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000.
A rare Fr. 2201-K* 1934 $500 Dallas Federal Reserve Note Replacement, graded PCGS Extremely Fine 40 Apparent and one of just three or so known, raised eyebrows at $15,275.
Gold Certificates were again among the top realizing lots in small size Federal type notes led by a Fr. 2408 1928 $1000, graded PCGS Gem New 65, which sold for $52,875. Another small size $1000 Gold, graded PMG About Uncirculated 55, brought $28,200. A Fr. 2407 1928 $500 Gold Certificate, graded PMG Extremely Fine 45 EPQ, sold for $17,037.
Two National Banknotes were the pace setters in that genre, each realizing $18,800. The first was an 1882 $10 Brown Back from the First NB of Roswell, Territory of New Mexico, charter 5220 and graded PCGS Very Fine 30. The second was a spectacular 1875 $10 from the First NB of Newark, Ohio, charter 858, graded PCGS Gem New 66 PPQ.
