The Only $20 Value Back Known on the Bank

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National Bank Notes > Illinois

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Alton, Citizens NB, M5188
Fr. 581 $20 1882VB
Grade: PCGS VF 25    

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Alton was first settled in 1818 by a passenger ferryman who carried passengers across the Mississippi River to Missouri near St. Louis. It was the site of significant abolitionist fighting as early as the 1830s and was the site of the drafting of the 13th Amendment. One of the authors of the amendment, U.S. senator Lyman Trumbull, was a resident of the town. Alton was also the site of the first prison in Illinois. Missing from our specialized Illinois collection last August. In that sale we sold a similarly graded Brown Back for $3000 as well as a Third Charter note for $940. The Brown Back is of similar rarity to this note as a type but the Third Charter note is vastly more common. A couple of $5 Value Backs are listed in the census but this is the lone $20 Value Back so far as we can tell. A great note for the Illinois specialist.

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