Nineteenth Century Currency

The Series 1880 $10 United States Note: Robert Morris Portrait Issues and Their Signature Combination Rarity

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1880 $10 United States Note stands among the most historically rich and collectibly complex large-size issues, featuring the portrait of Founding Father Robert Morris across a remarkable run of signature combinations. Understanding which Register-Treasurer pairings are scarce versus common can mean the difference between a good buy and a great one.

The Baptism of Pocahontas Vignette on the $20 National Bank Note: Art, History, and Capitol Rotunda Connections

June 15, 2026 by

The $20 National Bank Note Series of 1875 and its predecessors feature one of the most historically significant vignettes ever printed on American currency: the Baptism of Pocahontas, drawn directly from John Gadsby Chapman’s massive painting in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Understanding this artistic connection transforms how collectors evaluate these notes and reveals the deliberate storytelling the Treasury Department embedded in nineteenth-century bank note design.