High Point of US Paper Artistry?

I nominate the National Bank Notes of the First Charter.

 

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I vote for. . .

 

The ornamental 1890 treasury notes are my favorite.

The $50 version was never released, but is one of the most beautifully designed. I feel pretty bad for the engraver and the effort he went through, without ever having his design produced.

 

Too many great ones to choose from but the educationals are the ones that do it for me. Those notes have to be the pinnacle of artistic currency.

 

I'm with you on that one!

 

I like educationals too. Fantastic stuff.

 

I would have to go with the 1899 series silver certificates.

 

Don't ya wish the BEP would print some current bills that look like some of the old currency? Just beautiful, gorgeous bills!!!

 

I agree...it's the educational notes for me. Truly beautiful.

 

Everything now a days is all about security rather than the beauty of engraving.

 

I think it's almost inarguable that the Educational series represent the artistic pinnacle of engraving on US notes. It's called the King of Notes for a reason...

Of course, among "favorites" you'd add the Chief, the Bison, the Black Eagle... all great designs.

I find the Manning $20 to be an outstanding design too (especially the blue ink seals), but you are getting into the second rung there...

 

I've read they were going to release more designs for this series...higher denominations. But, they stopped making them. Is there any truth to this and if so, had they gotten to the point of selecting designs?

 

There was a revised "draped" 1897 $5 and proposed $10:




Some info at the bottom of this article:

http://flyingmoose.org/truthfic/1896.htm

 

Great info. I knew they had modified the $5 design but it was never released...but I had never seen it. I also also never seen the $10 proposed design. Thanks.

 

I concur with the education series. Really large size silver certificates in general are my favorite!

 

Educational series. That's like asking which child do I love more.
Some of the reverse sides of the big notes are amazing.

 

I'm sure both objectives could be achieved at once, if only the powers that be cared to.

 

I would have to agree that the vote is between the 1899 Silver certs with the $1 Black Eagle and the $5 Chief Running Antelope or the Educational series notes. But I think the 1901 Bison deserves an honorable mention:



So I guess the answer to the question of the high point in artistry in US Paper Currency was 1896 to 1901 in my opinion.

 

As a new member, let me be the first to give you a "like" and a welcome.

 

Don't forget the 1886 silver certificates and the 1890 treasury notes: