Featured Note of the Month: March 2019

1901 US Legal Tender, 10 Dollars, front PMG graded 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click image to enlarge.

1901 US Legal Tender, 10 Dollars, back PMG graded 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click image to enlarge.

Country: United States
Catalog Number: Friedberg# 122.
Date: 1901
Denomination: $10
Varieties: Friedberg numbers 114 to 121 have the same note design with different signatures. This note, with the signatures Speelman and White, also has mule and replacement varieties.

What makes it special? There are five issues of United States Legal Tender Notes with series dates ranging from 1862 to 1923. The 1901 $10 notes were the only ones released as part of the Fifth Issue. The note’s design includes mention of Section 2588 R.S., making it the only U.S. note to include the legal provision that authorized its issuance.

Why is it interesting now? On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the establishment of Yellowstone National Park. The first national park formed in the United States, Yellowstone is home to the country’s largest herd of wild bison, like the one pictured on this $10 bill. Happy 147th birthday, Yellowstone!

Did you know? There were once nearly 60 million bison living in the United States. They were hunted to the brink of extinction by the end of the 19th century and today, only about 500,000 remain. The 4,900 bison of the current Yellowstone herd are pure descendants of early American bison, meaning that they do not have any cattle genes. Yellowstone National Park is only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.

Total graded by PMG: 1,478

PMG median grade: The median grade for these notes is 25.

PMG highest graded: 67 EPQ

Sales highlights: For notes in a PMG holder, expect to pay at least $500 for lower grades. The highest-graded notes have sold for over $18,000 at auction.

PMG Registry: For Registry sets devoted to this particular note, check out the Bison $10 Complete Set, or Bison $10 Complete Set (with Star Notes).

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