In the Heritage Auctions’ Long Beach Expo Signature Currency Auction held from Sept. 7-12, an 1891 “Monroe” $100 Silver Certificate, Fr. 344, achieved a notable sale price of $152,700.
The total proceeds for the auction reached $3,909,242, with all prices reflecting the inclusion of the 17.5 percent buyer’s premium.
This 1891 rarity, graded PMG Choice Extremely Fine 45 EPQ, holds significance as “one of a mere 31 specimens recorded for this Friedberg number, six of which are permanently impounded in government institutions, leaving barely two dozen pieces for the collecting fraternity.”
Additionally, it stands as the second-highest certified grade among the known specimens, with the highest graded note, a PMG About Uncirculated 50, selling for $176,000 three years ago.
Equally fetching $152,700 was a 1928 Chicago $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Fr. 2220-G, graded PMG About Uncirculated 55.
This note is part of a limited print run of 3,480 1928 $5,000s from the Chicago District, contributing to its rarity.
Only nine of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks printed $5,000s, and approximately two dozen survivors are known from all the banks combined.
Another newly reported 1934 Federal Reserve Note, Fr. 2221-G, commanded $141,000 in PMG Choice Uncirculated 64, making it a noteworthy addition to the auction.
An attention-grabbing sale was the 1863 “Spread Eagle” $100 Legal Tender Note, Fr. 167a, which reached $135,125.
Graded PCGS Very Fine 30PPQ, this wholly original specimen earned a Premium Paper Quality designation, reflecting its mid-grade condition and its avoidance of the pitfalls of circulation.
The 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note, Light Green Seal, Fr. 2231-G, sold for $94,000 in PMG Extremely Fine 40.
This rarity, part of a print run of 3,840, contributed to the diverse range of exceptional lots in the auction.
Other noteworthy lots included:
1882 $10 Brown Back, The National Bank of Raleigh, N.C., charter 3389, Fr. 482, PMG Very Fine 30 EPQ, which fetched $35,250.
1891 $20 Silver Certificate, Fr. 321, PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, reaching $32,900.
1902 $5 Plain Back, The First National Bank of Crows Landing, Calif., charter 9765, Fr. 601, PCGS Very Fine 35, which achieved $32,900.
Confederate States T1 $1,000 1861 PF-1, Cr.1, PMG Very Fine 25 Net, selling for $32,900.
1918 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note, Fr. 1133-B, PMG Choice Very Fine 35 Net, realizing $21,150.
1880 $10 Silver Certificate, Fr. 289, PMG Choice Uncirculated 63, achieving $18,800.