US Notes

currency collecting guide

The Series 1875 $5 United States Note: The Pioneering ‘Family Back’ Design and Why Attribution Is Difficult for New Collectors

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The Series 1875 $5 United States Note introduced one of the most visually striking reverse designs in American currency history, yet its many signature combinations and subtle plate varieties make accurate attribution a genuine challenge. This guide breaks down every major variety, explains the Treasury seal changes, and gives collectors the tools to confidently identify what they actually hold.

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The Series 1891 $100 Silver Certificate David Farragut Portrait: One of the Scarcest Large-Size Type Notes

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The Series 1891 $100 Silver Certificate featuring Admiral David Farragut is among the most elusive large-size type notes in American currency history, with a surviving population so small that most collectors never encounter one in a lifetime of searching. This deep-dive covers its history, signature varieties, grading realities, and what you need to know if you ever get the chance to acquire one.

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Series 1929 $5 National Bank Note Type 1 vs. Type 2: A State-by-State Guide to Which Banks Issued Both Types

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The Series 1929 $5 National Bank Notes present one of the most rewarding collecting challenges in all of small-size currency, with thousands of issuing banks split between Type 1 and Type 2 printings across every state and territory. This guide breaks down the key differences, the rarest issuing states, and exactly which banks managed to issue both types before the National Banking era closed forever in 1935.

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National Bank Note Second Charter Period Blue Seal Varieties: A State-by-State Guide to the Dates Back Issues

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The Second Charter Period Dates Back National Bank Notes, issued from 1882 to 1908, represent one of the most geographically diverse and historically rich collecting categories in all of large-size US currency. This comprehensive guide breaks down the blue seal varieties by state, explains the key signature combinations and print run differences, and gives collectors at every level the knowledge to identify, evaluate, and pursue these fascinating pieces of American banking history.

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Wings Over the Dollar: How the Bald Eagle Evolved as a Currency Motif From Demand Notes to Modern Federal Reserve Notes

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The bald eagle has appeared on American paper money in some form for over 160 years, shifting from bold engraved centerpieces to subtle watermarks and security features. Understanding how this symbol changed across series, denominations, and printing technologies reveals a fascinating window into both American monetary history and the art of banknote design.

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