Fr. 1161 $50 1874 GBN Allison-Spinner Possibly Unique For Bank Finest For The Type

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National Bank Notes > California

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San Jose, Farmers National Gold Bank, 2158
Fr. 1161 $50 1874 GBN
Grade: F/VF    

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B. Max Mehl had this to say about this amazing note: "Strictly Fine, can certainly be classed as Very Fine for this great rarity. One of the rarest of all notes in this great collection." Boy, is that a mouthful as the Freeman Collection was full of rare notes. This is the only $50 Gold Bank Note known that is not from San Francisco, and it was one of 400 sheets printed, each with a single $50 and $100. No $100s are known. Rarity of this type cannot be overemphasized. The census shows seven examples for the type but one was once laminated, ruined and is now in hundreds of pieces. Another is in the ANA Museum (not much chance on that one). It has been 10 years since we offered the Levitan note, which I had restored, and it is still a low grade. There has not been a $50 Gold Bank Note in nice condition for sale publicly since 1965, and this is the only one known. San Francisco $50 Gold Bank Notes have never been publicly offered. As B. Max Mehl said, "This is one of the rarest notes in this great collection."

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