Andrew Jackson’s relentless campaign to destroy the Second Bank of the United States triggered a monetary crisis that transformed American paper currency forever. Understanding this pivotal decade helps collectors decode the chaotic, colorful, and historically rich banknotes that survived it.
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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.
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Jay Cooke’s 1861-1865 campaign to sell Union war bonds transformed the relationship between ordinary Americans and federal paper money forever. Understanding this financial revolution is essential for collectors who want to grasp why certain Civil War-era Treasury notes carry the marks, signatures, and printing characteristics they do.
Read More →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.
Read More →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.
Read More →The Series 1890 $2 Treasury Note with its ornate ‘McPherson Back’ design stands as one of the most visually stunning yet persistently overlooked issues in large-size American currency. This guide explores its history, signature varieties, rarity grades, and what collectors at every level should know before pursuing one.
Read More →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.
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When American troops shipped out to suppress Emilio Aguinaldo’s insurgency in the Philippines, they carried US federal currency into one of the most chaotic monetary environments in American colonial history. Understanding which notes circulated, how they were used, and what survives today gives collectors a rare window into a forgotten chapter of American numismatic history.
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Issued for just a brief window in 1879, Refunding Certificates represent one of the most unusual and least-understood instruments in all of American paper money history. This deep dive covers their legislative origins, physical characteristics, known varieties, and what collectors should expect to pay for one of the rarest currency types in existence.
Read More →The Treasury Notes of 1890 and 1891 represent one of the most visually stunning and historically significant chapters in American paper money, yet they remain overlooked by many collectors. This deep dive covers the legislative origins, stunning back designs, signature combinations, key rarities, and practical guidance for adding these ‘Coin Notes’ to your collection.
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