Several PMG-Certified Rarities Expected to Realize Six Figures at ANA

Two rare, PMG-certified American notes are estimated to sell for over $200,000 each in the Stack's Bowers currency auctions being held Aug. 16-18 in Chicago.

The first was issued not long after the Civil War ended: an 1869 $50 "Rainbow" Legal Tender Note graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated EPQ. It features a portrait of Congressman Henry Clay, a former Speaker of the House and Secretary of State.

1869 $50 Legal Tender, graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated EPQ Click image to enlarge.

Issued in several denominations with the year 1869, “Rainbow” Legal Tender Notes like this one are so named for their colorful hues. They are both extremely rare and highly coveted today. The estimate for this note is $200,000 to $300,000.

1882 $1,000 Gold Certificate, graded PMG 25 Very Fine Click image to enlarge.

From a generation later, another PMG-graded rarity is an 1882 $1,000 Gold Certificate, with a Lyons-Roberts signature combination establishing its date of issue around the turn of the century.

Graded PMG 25 Very Fine, just 11 examples with this signature combination are known to exist. This note has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.

Both of these rarities were recently graded by PMG after being submitted through its CrossOver service, which was launched in February 2019 after PCGS Currency ceased operations. They are now covered by the comprehensive PMG Guarantee of authenticity and grade. To learn more about PMG's CrossOver service, click here.

Among the PMG-graded highlights from the US currency auctions (Part 1 and Part 2) are:

• a 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note-Cleveland graded PMG 25 Very Fine, with an estimate of $150,000 to $250,000
• a 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note-Atlanta graded PMG 35 Choice Very Fine, with an estimate of $125,000 to $175,000
• a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note-Chicago graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated, with an estimate of $125,000 to $175,000
• a Sargent, Nebraska 1902 $100 with Serial Number 1 graded PMG 25 Very Fine, with an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000
• a Fort Benton, Montana Territory 1875 $5 graded PMG 53 About Uncirculated, with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
• an Auburn, Nebraska 1902 $100 graded PMG 25 Very Fine, with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
• a Portland, Oregon 1902 $100 graded PMG 20 Very Fine, with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
• an 1862 $50 Legal Tender graded PMG 20 Very Fine, with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
• a 1928G $2 Legal Tender Note with Solid 9's graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000

Meanwhile, PMG-certified notes dominate the Stack's Bowers world currency auction (Session B), including the lots with the top 10 estimates.

India Reserve Bank undated (1960) 10,000 Rupees Specimen, graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated Click image to enlarge.

Seven of these lots are from India, including the top lot, an India Reserve Bank undated (1960) 10,000 Rupees Specimen graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated. It has an estimate of $150,000 to $175,000.

Among the other PMG-graded highlights are:

• an India Reserve Bank undated (1959) 100 Rupees (Haj Pilgrim Issue) graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine, with an estimate of $75,000 to $80,000
• a German East Africa 1912 500 Rupien graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated, with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
• an India Reserve Bank undated (1960) 5,000 Rupees graded PMG 30 Very Fine, with an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000
• a lot of four India Government (Persian Gulf) notes, including a 1957 1 Rupee and undated (1957-1970) 5, 10 and 100 Rupees, the first two graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ and the last two graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated and PMG 55 About Uncirculated, with an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000
• a Philippines 1906 500 Pesos Silver Certificate graded PMG 30 Very Fine NET, with an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000
• an India (British Administration) undated (1917) 2 Rupees, 8 Annas graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated, with an estimate of $20,000 to $25,000
• an India Reserve Bank undated (1959) 10 Rupees (Haj Pilgrim Issue) graded PMG 30 Very Fine, with an estimate of $12,000 to $13,000
• an India (British Administration) undated (1917-1930) 100 Rupees graded PMG 50 About Uncirculated, with an estimate of $12,000 to $13,000
• a Saudi Arabia undated (1953) 10 Riyals (Haj Pilgrim Receipt) graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated, with an estimate of $12,000 to $15,000

All estimates are provided by the auction house and expressed in USD.