UNIQUE Fr. 423a Unknown To Friedberg

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National Bank Notes > Massachusetts

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Holyoke, City NB, 2430
Fr. 423a $10 1875
Grade: XF/AU    

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Unique discovery note, offered to the collecting community for the first time. Even the time-honored and all-inclusive Friedberg reference simply listed the possibility of this with a one word description: "unknown" for several editions. A freak of production, a miracle of survival; a note which shouldn't exist. This is an 1875 First Charter National Bank Note with signatures typically linked to the 1896 Educationals. The Treasury officers engraved into the face plate are Tillman and Morgan, who didn't assume office until July 1, 1893 and left less than seven years later. This unexpected mating provides collectors tonight with a treasure to outlast their lifetime. In attempting the laudable goal of building a collection by Friedberg number, few other notes will present such a formidable challenge. Over the years, countless collectors have entrusted us to sell their most important holdings. We've been privileged to auction more than our fair share of Grand Watermelons, Sewards, etc. Our firm auctioned the first two notes which cost more than $1,000,000. So, we are not strangers to rarity. Of inestimable importance. When the market for National Bank Notes by Friedberg number begins to approach that of Type Note, pieces such as this will also approach the seven-figure mark. While Nationals are rightfully considered hometown notes, the importance of the Fr. 423a will impact collectors from every location in the country. It belongs in any portfolio of important bank notes, whether those holdings concentrate on Massachusetts Nationals or Friedberg numbers. Delightfully preserved and marvelously fresh, this note demonstrates bold pen signatures of the bank officers, deep embossing and centering second to none. It clearly never circulated and, although it appears CU at arms length, a couple of folds are noted and the services are likely to assign a grade of XF 45. The bank was in business from July 1, 1893 to June 30, 1897.

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