Jewel Back – US Notes

The Series 1890 $20 Treasury Note: The Jewel Back Design and Why Only a Few Hundred Are Known to Survive

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1890 $20 Treasury Note is one of the most visually spectacular and genuinely scarce large-size notes ever issued by the United States government. In this deep-dive, collectors will learn exactly what makes the Jewel Back design so extraordinary, how many survive today, and what to realistically expect when hunting one for your collection.

Grading Treasury Notes of 1890: Why the Ornate Jewel Back Makes Condition Assessment More Complex Than for Standard Legal Tender Notes

June 15, 2026 by

The Treasury Notes of 1890 present a unique grading challenge thanks to their elaborately engraved reverses, where fine detail loss is nearly invisible until a note drops several grade points. Understanding how the Jewel Back affects condition assessment can mean the difference between paying wholesale and retail prices for the same piece.