Captivating 1869 Rainbow $100

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Large Size Type Notes > Legal Tender

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Fr. 168 $100 1869
Grade: Very Ch. CU    

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This note was last offered in the Frank Levitan Collection in 1998 where it was described as: "This magnificent rainbow $100 is a classic rarity. It is in spectacular condition with broad margins all the way around, front and back. The excellent paper quality has only minute handling and the broad, bold colors make this note one of the most outstanding ever offered. This design has images that relate to the Civil War, which ended a few years earlier, the Anthony Berger portrait of the martyred President Lincoln and the engraving of Reconstruction on the right. A small head of Liberty is found near the lower border. There have been 22 serial numbers recorded, with seven likely off the market for generations. There are apparently two other CU examples in private hands and a couple of AU examples that could be very close in grade. This note was the Donlon illustration and Frank acquired it from him in 1971." Today a grading service might agree with my grade from that time, or they might feel a light corner tip fold has to be called AU. Personally, Frank acquired it as uncirculated and we sold it that way, and I am again trying to make this broadly margined, incredibly fresh, original $100 rainbow note as exciting as it appears to me. The paper quality is very nice but it does have very faint handling. Truly one of the great currency treasures. This note is #20 on the 100 greatest list.

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