$1,000 Fr. 187b Bruce-Wyman Large Brown Seal UNIQUE Outside The Treasury

---

Large Size Type Notes > Legal Tender

---

---

Fr. 187b $1,000 1880
Grade: PCGS Ch. AU 55    

---

When the time comes to make a study of the greatest rarities in our hobby the large brown seal $1,000 of 1880 should certainly be near the top of any study. (Of course that study would encompass many of the greatest rarities of our hobby by virtue solely of denomination). The printing of the 1880 legal tenders were a fraction of that of the 1862-1863 and 1869 thousands, which were 12 times higher in the case of the 1862-1863 when we needed to print money for the war effort and six times higher when we were refinancing the debt. By the time Bruce and Wyman were in the Treasury, 1883 to 1885, there was less need for the use of $1,000 bills. Conversely, when the small red seals were being issued there was the Spanish-American War to fund. There aren't any $1,000 issues from 1880 that exist in collector's hands, other than the small red seals. This is the FINEST KNOWN FOR THE ENTIRE TYPE, regardless of the seal. This note previously sold in CAA's October 1998 sale where it was described as follows: "One of the most important rarities that we have had the opportunity to offer, this is the first Fr. 187b that has ever been offered to the collecting public, and one of only two known to exist. It is in the census based on a 1993 report of its existence, but it has never previously been available for sale. The only other Bruce-Wyman $1,000 legal known to exist is an Extra Fine delivered by the Treasury Department to the Smithsonian Institution in 1978. This note is not only unique in public hands as a signature variety but also as a type, as the only other large brown seal $1,000 legal is the unknown Fr. 187f. This spectacular Fr. 187b is kept from uncirculated only by some handling in the top margin. It is the "D" position note from the plate and has its full side margins as well as an overly large bottom margin, as is often seen with "D" position notes. The top margin is rather close by contrast, but only significantly so at the far right where it does not quite touch the design. The printing quality is excellent on both the face and the extraordinary busy back. The note is totally free of repair or restoration of any kind. There are only a handful of U.S. Federal currency notes which no collector has ever had the opportunity to own, and this majestic thousand was one of that select group until now."

---