Tombstone Note – US Notes

After the Tombstone: What Replaced the $10 Educational Silver Certificate and Why the Treasury Chose a Different Path

June 20, 2026June 15, 2026 by

The stunning $10 Educational Silver Certificate of 1896 is one of the most celebrated notes in American numismatic history, but its successor series tells an equally fascinating story about politics, public taste, and the practical demands of currency production. This deep dive traces exactly what filled the void left by the Educational series and why collectors today should pay close attention to the transitional notes that followed.

The Series 1890 $1 Treasury Note: Edwin Stanton, the ‘Tombstone Note,’ and the Smallest Coin Note Denomination

June 20, 2026June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1890 $1 Treasury Note stands as one of the most visually striking and historically significant small-denomination notes ever issued by the United States Treasury, featuring Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton on its face and an ornate back design so elaborate it earned the nickname ‘Tombstone Note.’ For collectors, this Civil War-era statesman note represents a genuine crossroads of history, artistry, and numismatic rarity.