Important Spread Eagle $100 Fr. 167a $100 1863 Legal Tender

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Large Size Type Notes > Legal Tender

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Fr. 167a $100 1863
Grade: PCGS Ch. New 63    

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The Spread Eagle stands at the top of the iconic issues of US Paper Money. This image was chosen not as an individual but as the spirit of a nation as the eagle watches over it. This is not to be confused with the Black Eagle watching over the government. When I began working for Fred Sweeney in 1970 was when I became aware of the Spread Eagle because Wm. P. Donlon had chosen that image to highlight his reference on large size US Paper Money, and unless my memory has failed me, he chose it for his auction of a portion of his collection. That is why it's always been the Spread Eagle for me. This note appeared as the cover lot for my 1992 Memphis catalog and it had formerly been the property of William Anton, Sr. This beautiful example has been graded Ch. New 63 by PCGS which is exactly the same as I did back in 1992. The census for the entire issue of Spread Eagle $100s is only 50. Which includes Fr. 165 with finest recorded of VF 25 and 15 reported; Fr. 165a has 11 serial numbers in the census with the finest a VF 25. There are no Fr. 166s recorded. Fr. 167 has two known, the finest in XF. Fr. 167a shows 22 serial numbers recorded, there is one 65 EPQ and two Ch. New 63. The Fr. 167b has only two known with the finest being a VF 25. The point is, with 50 known for the type and 3 graded UNC, along with 3 to 5 more that are higher grade the opportunities are few and far between for such rarity. There was a Fr. 167a in PCGS 63 that realized $305,500 in January 2013. We expect the desirability of the Eagle could have it soaring among the bidders. From the Cleveland Collection.

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