An 1890 $100 “Watermelon” Treasury Note, Fr. 377, from the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society was the top lot in Heritage Auctions’ Central States Numismatic Society Currency Signature Auction, April 22-28 in Chicago.
The rarity, noted for its zeroes on the back that resemble watermelons, sold for $199,750.
The cataloger said of these Treasury Notes, “...the original number of notes issued was quite small, especially for the largest denominations. For the $100, only 120,000 notes were printed, and today a mere 35 survivors are known to collectors. Eight of those notes are permanently housed in institutional collections, prized holdings due in part to the rarity, but just as importantly, the design.”
Newman’s note appeared previously in the census, but it is the first time the PCGS Very Fine 30PPQ-graded note has been offered at public auction.
All prices cited here include a 17.5 percent buyer’s premium.
A near gem $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note, Fr. 2221-G, PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ, went for $164,500. From the Kiawah Collection, Part II, the rarity was described as “well center and very bright.”
Selling for $135,125 was a $10,000 1934 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Note in PCGS Very Choice New 64. Hailing from the Binion’s Horseshoe Casino hoard, the Fr. 2231-B was described as the “lone finest example that we have offered at auction since 2011.” Another Fr. 2231-B 1934 $10,000 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Note, in PCGS Apparent Very Choice New 64, brought $117,999.
Other top lots included:
• 1934 $5,000 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Note, Dallas, Fr. 2221-K, PMG Choice Uncirculated 63, $129,250.
• 1928 $500 Gold Certificate, Fr. 2407, PCGS Gem New 65PPQ, $105,750.
• 1869 $100 “Rainbow” Legal Tender, Fr. 168, PCGS Very Fine 30, $99,875. Newman.
• 1934 $5,000 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Note, St. Louis, Fr. 2221-H, PMG Choice Extremely Fine 45 Net, $94,000.
• 1934 $5,000 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Note, Dallas, Fr. 2221-K, PMG Very Fine 30, $82,250.
• 1905 $20 “Technicolor” Gold Certificate, Fr. 1180, PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ, $82,250.
• Double denomination 1882 $50/$100 Brown Back, The Aetna National Bank, Kansas City, Mo., charter 4251, Fr. 512, PCGS Very Good 10 Apparent, $70,500. Newman.
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