One of the Notes I recently picked up is one I have been looking for in high Grade for quite a while. The Notes hails from the Webster Massachusetts Bank and features several very nice Vignettes. Two of my favorite are the one of Franklin and Electricity by; Charles Burtt (shown here) and America Seizing the Lightning by; Theodore August Liebler On the reverse is a great Vignette of Fessenden whom is one of my favorite fractional note Vignettes of the 3rd Issue. I hope you ebnjoy these..my first Large Size Note in over a year!!
very nice, and from new england :hail: as a Rhode Islander I want to get into some of the notes from RI/MA
Rickie, in your opinion, was this note cheaper or more expensive in this grade than the well-known 1896 educational note that has the lightning vignette?
Dr Kegg: NBNs are kind of an unusual breed. Depending on how many remain-vs- issued- (Kelly's Book) availability and personal discretions will dictate the price structure for any note to be honest. But to compare with the $5 Educational, it is heads and shoulders above this Massachusetts note. The above note was ~ $2.6K and $5 Eds go for much more than that in 64 EPQ. When I had the Large Size Collection before I had always wanted one of these notes with the Vignettes shown and the Engraving on the Reverse is something just short of spectacular in my book...I would have bought this at even a higher price. It is an pretty nice grade for a Date Back...now where is it's twin brother the "value back" hiding ?
Thanks for the reply Rickie. Always learn something new from talking to you about notes! I think that the price you paid was good for the grade and vignette. I know that the silver cert goes for 10x that (at least) in a graded 64. I've always wanted one as well, but unfortunately my price range is currently in the VG category and I just can't do it for that note.
Wow, beautiful note Rick! It never ceases to amaze me the amount of detail they put into those notes back then.
Steve: Thank you for your post. I hope you are doing well and building on your collection? Yes the craftmanship of days gone by was simply amazing as well as elegant! I may never be able to replace what I had (former Large Size Collection) but I will add select notes again as this is one of the few passions I have. I have kept a record of SNs for the former collection and the Heritage Catalog in which it was offered..I suppose starting over may not be such a bad thing, the experience gained will be helpful I am sure!
With registered snail mail this finally arrived... here are a few larger images of the note. BTW.. PMG has only graded 34 of these notes and this is the 2nd highest graded note with a single 65 EPQ that is above it. If anyone has PCGS data I would appreciate it very much. Click on image to see larger scan.
That note is spectacular. I would love to have something like that in my collection someday. Exceptional acquisition Rickie.
ronterry: I sure hope that I do not come across in a fashion that presents a "keeping up with the Jone's" senario. It is simply my love of the artistic nature of our storied historical past. I broke out my log book that I kept in which I recorded the SNs for my former Large Size Collection and almost cried knowing I will never be able to assemble such a collection again. My illness forced me into a new job with < compensation than my prior job. It seems my note purchases will be greatly reduced. So it is not so much a goal to have sets anylonger but to attempt to add a very few select pieces here and there. Two notes have been purchased this year and one of them an AU55 in which in itself is a rare note but did not meet the former min grade of AU58 I had set in the past. I am sure that my small collection of notes is far less than the collections of many friends here on CT. I too am surprised of even being here at all...I thank all of you who openly welcomed me back. My illness has changed many former habits. If I can ever be of help always feel free to PM me..
Very nice example RickieB. The vignettes are some of my favorites and the signatures have held up well for being over 100 years old. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations on your newest addition.
