---

Obsolete Notes & Miscellaneous Items > Colorado

---

---

$5 Clark, Gruber & Co., Denver, Colorado Territory
Grade: VF/XF    

---

This note is printed on bank note paper and has a serial #2004. It has several insignificant folds and creases, and a trace of a paper clip rust spot at the top over Colorado. Clark, Gruber & Co. was formed in 1859 by Austin M. and Milton E. Clark and Emmanuel H. Gruber in Denver, Colorado. In July 1860, they issued Territorial gold coins on a new steam powered coring press. They were successful at this venture and they printed the private bank notes at approximately the same time. Both efforts were to help alleviate the cost and risk of shipping gold. This note has never been seen fully signed and issued. We know of two proofs and this newly discovered note, serial #2004, to be the third of its type. The others are #1999 and #2007. This note has been with members of the banking family since it was printed. The Clark, Gruber & Co. note has long been considered the most important Obsolete bank note, no doubt in part to its clear connection with the Colorado Territory and the private gold coinage. Each time a note has been available to the marketplace a new record has been established, going from over $60,000 to $77,625 to $126,500, all in the span of three years.

---