Lyn Knight Currency Auction Sale at 16th Annual Chicago Paper Money Exposition

March 1, 2010 (Iola, Wis.) -- Opening with world bank notes and then moving into U.S. notes from Colonials through large-size type and nationals, Lyn Knight Currency Auctions' March 18-20 sale promises something for everyone.

The auction is to be held at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare, 5440 N. River Road in Rosemont, Ill., in conjunction with the 16th Annual Chicago Paper Money Exposition .

The first session, slated for 6 p.m. on March 18, features what Knight termed the firm's largest offering of world bank notes to date.

The March 19 second session, at 6 p.m., promises to draw attention as it opens with a 200-lot Costa Rica note offering considered one of the finest collections known. These will be followed by U.S. notes, starting with Colonials, Continental currency, obsoletes, Confederate, Fractional and MPC including some high quality examples of regular issues and replacements.

The small-size U.S. currency will be headed up by a $10,000 note from the Binion hoard graded 64 and estimated to bring in the $100,000 range. Also up for bid are interesting serial number notes, stars, and errors.

The March 20 third session, at 6 p.m., will feature large-size U.S. type notes including an Fr. 180 $100 Legal Tender, PCGS VF 35, and an Fr. 378 $100 1891 Treasury Note, VF.

$20 Technicolors in PMG 67 and 65 are included. Also featured is a run of circulated type notes. National Bank Notes will likely lead the evening and include uncut sheets crossing the block for the first time.

Individual note highlights follow:

• Fr. 378 $100 1891 Treasury or Coin Note, PMG VF-20 Restored, estimated at $150,000-250,000. "The open back 100 Treasury note is far rarer than the early Watermelon issue of 1880," according to the cataloger. "There are only 12 examples known, including 5 in institutions, leaving collectors 7 examples with the finest grading VF/XF." This example is one of four "found pinned to a drifter's coat."

• Fr. 180 $100 1880 Legal Tender Bruce-Roberts. "This is one of the rarest of the Lincoln $100 legal tender notes," according to the cataloger. "There are a total of 7 notes in existence today with 3 remaining in government institutions, doubtful to ever be sold." This specimen, estimated at $90,000-150,000, is the second finest known.

• $5 1882 Brown Back First National Bank of Huron, Territory of Dakota, VF, J.W. Campbell-president, J.W. Smith-cashier. "This bank was organized on May 19, 1882 and went into receivership on March 14, 1924. The bank issued 2,425 sheets of $5 BB Territorials and this is the only example known to have survived." Estimated at $40,000-60,000.

• Unique Fr. 517/529 $50/100 1882 Brown Back uncut sheet, Corn Exchange National Bank, Chicago. "This is the only 2 note uncut sheet known to have survived intact. This bank was chartered in 1897 and liquidated in 1924." Estimated at $125,000-250,000.

For additional information, contact Lyn Knight Currency Auctions, P.O. Box 7364, Overland Park KS 66207-0364; telephone 800-243-5211 or 913-338-3779. Lots may also be viewed and bid on online at www.lynknight.com.

For more information on the Chicago Paper Money Expo, visit www.cpmxshow.com .