Five PMG-certified Notes Each Realize Six Figures in Stack’s Bowers Sale

An extremely rare Silver Certificate certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) realized more than $500,000 in the Stack’s Bowers American Numismatic Association Auction of US Currency, which took place on August 18, 2021. The top five lots in the sale were all PMG-certified, and each realized over $100,000.

The 1880 $500 Silver Certificate graded PMG 15 Choice Fine (lot 20264) is one of just two examples known to survive of Friedberg# 345d, which features a signature combination of Register of the Treasury Blanche Bruce and Treasurer Albert Wyman. The other is permanently displayed in the collection of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

1880 $500 Silver Certificate graded PMG 15 Choice Fine. Realized: $504,000 Click images to enlarge.

The front of this $500 note features a portrait of Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, who served for 23 years until his death in 1874. Sumner is most notable for being the victim of a vicious caning by South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks on the Senate floor in 1856 after Sumner gave an anti-slavery speech. The back of the note displays the classic brown back design, which was no longer used after the 1880 Series of Silver Certificates were produced.

“Seeing this ultra-rare note being offered at auction was exciting for those of us who authenticate and grade paper money collectibles,” PMG Finalizer Chad Hawk said. “I am certain that PMG certification is very reassuring for the new owner of this amazing, museum-quality rarity.”

Meanwhile, a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Richmond) graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated EPQ (lot 20461) realized $156,000. High-denomination US notes like this one have an avid following among paper money collectors. The PMG certification label also includes a comment of Great Color that recognizes this note's superior appearance.

1880 $500 Silver Certificate graded PMG 15 Choice Fine. Realized: $156,000 Click images to enlarge.

Also realizing $156,000 was an uncut sheet of four Macon, Georgia 1902 $5 Red Seal National Bank Notes graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated (lot 20507). Uncut sheets of National Bank Notes with Red Seals are rare, and it is even harder to find a sheet with Serial Number 1, like this note has. In its debut at auction, the PMG-certified rarity far surpassed its pre-auction estimate of $50,000 to $80,000.

Uncut sheet of Macon, Georgia 1902 $5 Red Seal National Bank Notes graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. Realized: $156,000 Click images to enlarge.

An 1880 $1,000 Legal Tender Note graded PMG 30 Very Fine NET (lot 20173) realized $144,000. Only 14 examples are known of Friedberg# 187j, which has a signature combination of Register of the Treasury Judson Lyons and Treasurer Ellis Roberts.

1880 $500 Silver Certificate graded PMG 15 Choice Fine. Realized $144,000. Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified highlights in the sale included:

• a 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note (New York) graded PMG 61 Uncirculated (lot 20462) that realized $132,000.
• a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (New York) graded PMG 30 Very Fine (lot 20460) that realized $96,000
• an 1865 $50 Interest Bearing Note graded PMG 20 Very Fine NET (lot 20174) that realized $72,000
• a 1922 $1,000 Gold Certificate graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine (lot 20335) that realized $66,000
• an 1880 $100 Legal Tender Note graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine (lot 20172) that realized $50,400
• a 1918 $500 Federal Reserve Note (Dallas) graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine EPQ (lot 20311) that realized $50,400
• an 1880 $100 Legal Tender Note graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (lot 20170) that realized $48,000
• a 1928 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 20169) that realized $48,000

Prices realized include buyer's premium. Estimates provided by the auction house.