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National Bank Notes > Massachusetts

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Lenox, NB, 4013
Fr. 470 $5 1882BB
Grade: AU    

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In the PCDA 2006 sale we wrote: "Lenox is the seat of Berkshire County and is historically known as a farm and mill town. The town began to grow into a summer town in 1845, when Samuel Gray Ward built a summer home just outside of town. Ward was the Boston banker who would later finance the U.S. purchase of Alaska. He raved about the town to his top-tier circle of friends and, shortly after, many of them began to build summer "cottages" as retreats. These cottages were more like mansions than anything, the largest built for Anson Phelps, a rail baron, with over 100 rooms and built on 900 acres just outside of town. This outstanding example of the second variety of the "Cigar Box Label" will always be sought after because of the grade and the delicate pen signatures. Of the 18 large notes reported only two are $5 Brown Backs. Group 9. Plate date 4/18/89". Amazing signatures.

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