Crossing the Block: ANA Obsoletes Sure to Entire Bidding Fervor

By Bruce Hagen, Senior Numismatist and Consignment Director

The ANA World’s Fair of Money Paper Money session, to be sold on Wednesday evening August 8^th, 2012, is destined to be remembered for years to come. Consigned to this blockbuster event are numerous rarities and collectible notes in all genres and price ranges. Federal type note rarities, Small Size, National Currency, Encased Postage Stamps, Colonial American notes, and Obsolete Currency will share this elite stage, a venue attended by the greatest collectors and dealers in the world.

Obsolete Notes being catalogued for this sale are exceptional and are represented by stunning color proofs, issued notes, private scrip and rare fiscal documents. Several special collections have been consigned to the sale. Among the proofs to be sold is a breathtaking full red tinted Bank of the State of Minnesota $5 proof (lot 7137) printed by the distinctive Wellstood, Hay, and Whiting firm. Midwestern motifs of Indians hunting buffalo dominate the center; the color lathe and bordering details extenuate the riveting beauty. Last sold in March 2005 at the Schingoethe sale, it is the Minnesota book plate note and likely unique in private hands as a proof. Many gorgeous proofs from the northeast are consigned including a $2 Quinnipiack Bank, New Haven, Connecticut proof (lot 7110). The combination of the Native American title and themes is exceptional. Connecticut is one of the best collected states and certainly this is proof that will draw much attention.

Issued notes of course will be highlights in this stellar offering of obsolete notes at the ANA paper money session. Many exceptional New York City notes are being cataloged as we write this. Most of these are from banks that converted to the National Banking system and were types that were redeemed by the bank, making them rarely seen today. Printed in rarely seen all blue ink, a Grocers’ Bank of New York City $1 issued bill  (lot 7171) boasts gorgeous pen signatures and is dated 1861. The upper right building vignette is unique to the bank and is unlisted in the Roger H. Durand volume of architectural vignettes. A real jewel on the Sunshine State is a State Bank of Florida $20 dated 1860 (lot 7118). It is one of two issued notes of the type known, the other being the former Freddie Werner note sold in 1989 and 1997, and is a strong Fine. Estimated at $10,000-$15,000, it is perhaps the greatest “late date” issued note on the state. The bank closed, but the majority of notes were redeemed as they were guaranteed with funds from the state comptroller office. A Philadelphia ANA sale would not be complete without Philly notes and issued rarities from the Kensington Collection are featured. The Bank of Penn Township issued this green tinted $1 note (lot 7227) which was printed by the National Bank Note Company. This vibrant and fresh note has been off the market for many years,

These five notes are just the tip of the iceberg of over 150 enticing obsolete notes from this exciting auction event. Also, please see our Pre-ANA Sale session on Saturday August 4, 2012 for additional obsolete notes. For further information about the paper money sessions, call Matt Quinn or Bruce R. Hagen at 1-866-458-4646 or email us at info@stacksbowers.com.