2017-12-25 Mon

At the FUN Currency Auction in Tampa, Fla, an extremely rare 1882 gold certificate could sell for $ 500,000 and is expected to draw the heaviest pursuit among serious collectors.

The rarity of the Fr. 1218e $1,000 1882 Gold Certificate (est. $500,000+) is beyond debate. It is believed to be one of just five in existence, and one of only two available to collectors. Series 1882 $1,000 Gold Certificates were issued from 1882 through 1906 with a total of eight different signature combinations. Notes with the signatures of William S. Rosecrans and Enos H. Nebeker, who were only in office together from April 1891 through May 1893, make up just 4.3 percent of a total run of only 8,000.

The finest known Fr. 1176 $20 1882 Gold Certificate PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ ($250,000+) comes from the same series of 1882 $20 Gold Certificates issued for more than 18 years. But there was a big gap between 1891 and 1898. That interruption left just five signature combinations from the early issues and a single signature combination for the later issues. Only 8 percent of the total number of printed 1892 $20 Gold Certificates were from this early issue. This is one of the two finest notes known to exist from that early period.

Authentic and vividly coloured Fr. 377 $100 1890 Treasury Note PCGS Very Fine 30PPQ (est. $175,000) is an exceptional example of the so-called “Watermelon Note.”

The Windom Silver Bullion Purchase Act of 1890 is an attempt to remove all obstacles on the purchase and coining of silver, called for greatly increased limits, as well as the introductory issue of Treasury Notes. They were introduced to back silver purchases but also were redeemable for both silver and gold specimen, thereby earning the nickname “Coin Notes.” The back of the $100 and $1,000 Treasury Notes shows the denomination engraved in large, finely detailed digits, with the green zeroes resembling watermelons.

A fully uncirculated Fr. 2221-B $5,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. It is the kind of note that attracts serious collectors. This note, from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas, is an exceptional piece that has eluded any restoration work.

A high-grade Fr. 167a $100 1863 Legal Tender PCGS Extremely Fine 40 ($125,000+) is the seventh example of the note to reach the auction market. In fact, an XF has not reached the market in more than 15 years, and this is the first XF example graded by a third party.

The auction includes 257 lots from the Marc Watts Collection, which features National Banknote rarities from the Old Line State.