Heritage’s January US Currency Auction Highlights

There were lots of fun notes offered at the FUN auctions this year. The one getting the most press is the error offered, "The Del Monte Note." There were many other great standard note types to be seen, so I want to take a look at some of those as well. Some rare items were presented, some high-grade notes, and some with great visual representations. Here are the 5 notes that caught my eye in the offering.

Beginning with the first, Lot 21201, "The Del Monte Note" error note which sold for $396,000, graded by PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. The retained, printed over "Del Monte Ecuador" banana sticker is an interesting example because the sticker is still affixed and appears between layers of printing on a St. Louis $20, 1996 Federal Reserve Note. The note had strong pre-auction bidding that lifted it to $210,000. The sell price set a world record for any error bank note ever sold. This was just the third time the note had been offered at public auction since its discovery in 2004. Not bad for a note that became found at an ATM withdrawal.

The second note I followed was Lot 21185, which realized $234,000. The Chicago $10,000, 1934 Federal Reserve Note is graded by PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated and has Salmon P. Chase at center and bears the signatures of Julian and Morgenthau. The great coloring of the note and its condition help make it stand out.

The third offering I watched, Lot 21147, sold for $108,000. The 1882 $50 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brown Back from The Fourth Street National Bank, Charter # 3557 bears the signatures of Rosencrans and Jordan. Graded PCGS Superb Gem Unc 68 PPQ condition and possessing the striking, thematic, engraving design vignettes of Washington Crossing the Delaware and at right Prayer for Victory. The Pennsylvania Coat of Arms is on the deep brown note back at left and at right is Old Abe.

Lot 21095, a $50, 1891 Silver Certificate captured my attention. Graded PCGS Superb Gem Unc 67PPQ, the note sold for $72,000. The note has a vignette of Edward Everett at right and has a small red seal. It bears the signatures of Vernon and Treat.

The final note I would like to mention is Lot 21032 which realized a sell price of $14,400. The 1880 $50 Legal Tender note is graded PMG Very Fine 20. Benjamin Franklin is at left, and America at right. The signatures on the front are those of Bruce and Gilfillan. The condition of the note did impact its value, but it was nice to see an example of this design pop up in the auction.

The see more results of this auction and to take a look at the upcoming Central States offering please visit ha.com. All images appear courtesy of Heritage Auctions.