Tombstone Notes – US Notes

The Jewel Backs: How BEP Designers Used Guilloche and Ornate Counters to Make 1890 Treasury Notes the Most Beautiful Currency America Ever Printed

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by

The 1890 Treasury Notes stand apart from every other series in American currency history, their reverses packed with interlocking guilloche filigree and enormous denomination counters so elaborate they earned the nickname ‘Tombstone Notes.’ Understanding what the Bureau of Engraving and Printing achieved with these designs reveals why they remain the crown jewels of 19th-century paper money collecting.

The Series 1890 $50 Treasury Note: William Seward’s Portrait and One of the Most Ornate Back Designs in US Currency History

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1890 $50 Treasury Note stands among the most visually spectacular pieces of American paper money ever produced, combining a dignified portrait of statesman William H. Seward with an incredibly dense, engraved back design that earned these notes a lasting nickname among collectors. Whether you are new to large-size currency or a seasoned specialist, understanding what makes this note remarkable can transform how you approach 19th-century American paper money.

The Reverse Design of the 1890 Treasury Note: The Most Ornate Back in US Currency History

June 15, 2026 by

The 1890 Treasury Note series produced some of the most elaborately engraved reverse designs ever printed on American paper money, earning these notes the nickname ‘Tombstone Notes’ among collectors. This deep dive explores the artistic achievement behind these backs, the engravers who created them, and why specific denominations command prices well into five and six figures today.

The $10 Silver Certificate Series 1908: Tombstone Notes and Their Rarity

June 15, 2026 by

The $10 Silver Certificate Series of 1908 stands among the most visually striking and historically significant large-size notes ever issued by the United States Treasury. Known to collectors as ‘Tombstone Notes’ for their distinctive vignette design, these certificates represent a fascinating convergence of artistry, monetary policy, and extreme scarcity that makes them genuine trophy pieces in any advanced collection.