Written By Bruce Roland Hagen, Senior
Research Numismatist and Consignment Director, Currency
One of the most exciting parts of
organizing, cataloging and presenting an auction sale to the collecting public
is the diversity of the items presented. Our March 15, 2013 (commencing 5:00
P.M. ET) paper money session at Baltimore is no exception with exceptional
paper currency and related items that span across three centuries. Eighteenth century
notes engraved or printed by historic names such as Benjamin Franklin and Paul
Revere from Colonial times traverse side by side with the artistic obsolete
banknotes from the nineteenth century, culminating with rarities from our
currently used twentieth century Small Size Currency format first introduced in
1928. Each of these genres is well represented in our paper money session (lots
5001-5924) with something for everyone.
Of course Paul Revere needs
little introduction to any of us. He is a Revolutionary War icon and his direct
link to engraving and printing paper money makes him a numismatic hall of
famer. Not only did he engrave currency notes, he also engraved loan
certificates (bonds) including the famous and rare “King Philip” bonds of 1775.
Paul Revere’s engraving technique is exemplified at the left with his vignette
of King Philip, warrior in Rhode Island who gained immense respect from his colonial
adversaries due to his tenacity and honor. We have had the pleasure of handling
a few of these intricate certificates over the years and lot 5031 in our sale
is the finest we have seen. This bond is the illustrious Boyd Collection piece
last sold in October 2005 at the Ford XV sale. The bond leads a select, high
condition collection of Massachusetts Fiscal Paper and Bonds consigned to the
sale.
Artistic and rare obsolete
banknotes abound in the March paper money session. Many of the notes are from
private collections, with old pedigrees (such as Roger Durand and John Ford),
often last sold decades ago. Most significant is an impressive array of Rhode
Island obsolete proof notes (lots 5195-5313 public session; 9106-9135 internet
session) formed over three decades. Many significant imprints, vignettes, color
schemes, styles, locations and titles are contained in this section. Often the
vignettes reflect the history of the United States such as the Battle of
Lexington seen on the Bank of Rhode Island, Newport $100 green color proof (lot5215). Dozens of other proofs from this collection stand out and many would be
highlights in any sale. Not since Schingoethe has such a significant Rhode
Island offering crossed the auction block.
To Small Size Currency
collectors, the 1933 Ten Dollars Silver Certificate is like Paul Revere, a
household word and a hall of famer. The note itself projects a grandeur that
has made it a collector favorite and it has often been desired by both paper
money and coin collectors alike. The 1933 date certainly possesses some cache
as the famous/infamous double eagles of that year resonate through our
numismatic lives. The example offered in our sale (lot 5505) is new to the
census and comes to us from a superb collection auctioned for the first time.
The Vandenbosch Collection note, serial A00000111A, is graded PCGS Very Choice
New 64 PPQ and is just one of many great notes from this cabinet. Among the
other Small Size notes in the sale is an amazing selection of Fancy Number
notes with Number Ones, Solid Sets, and Super Repeaters.
These are only a few of the iconic
rarities in our March 15, 2013 paper money session. We encourage you to view
the entire sale, either for what currently interests you or perhaps something
that catches eye and becomes the foundation of that next collection.
We are already planning a stellar
paper money offering at the ANA World’s Fair of Money at Rosemont. Each of the last
two years had sales in excess of $6,000,000 each, with strong participation. It
is never too early to make your plans and space runs out quickly for the
premier paper money auction of the year. See us at the Baltimore auction and
show or call toll-free, Matt Quinn (1-800-458-4646 in CA) or Bruce Hagen (1-800-566-2580
in New York) to discuss placing your important currency in the ANA event.
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