This week’s message  showcases one of the most spectacular, most important notes in the Joel R. Anderson Collection Part 4 sale. Just four examples are known, and this is thought to be the only one in private hands.  All by itself it would anchor a great offering of currency. In this sale it is side by side with other legendary notes.

The printed catalog of the sale is now being distributed, and in addition complete information is available on line. As the sale date approaches, excitement continues to build. The venue will be the ever-popular Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore and the date will be Thursday evening, February 28th. You are cordially invited to attend this dynamic show and view the Anderson notes in person, as well as see the many other coins, tokens, medals, and paper money in our multiple auction sales. We have been the official auctioneer of the Expo since day one. In addition to the Joel R. Anderson Collection, currency is offered in the Caine Collection (rare federal proof notes) and in another catalog. The net result is that if you are at all interested in paper money, this is the place to be. There will be many buying opportunities.  

As to the unique Joel R. Anderson Collection sale, you are invited to attend as it takes place, as a bidder or as an observer to see numismatic history as it is being made. Alternatively, you can view the notes on our website and participate in the sale in real time as a bidder.

The Anderson Collection by definition includes notes from affordable and available to great rarities. The word “rare” is common among the over 200 notes in the collection. Every note is among the very finest of its kind and some offer a unique opportunity.  Below is our catalog description:

Ultra Rare Rosecrans-Nebeker $1000 Gold Certificate

Lot 4043. Friedberg 1218e (W-4620). 1882 $1,000 Gold Certificate. PCGS Currency Very Fine 35.

Here is another magnificent rarity from the unprecedented Joel R. Anderson Collection. Just four Rosecrans-Nebeker signed 1882 $1000 Gold Certificates are known to survive and the presently offered example may be the only one in private hands. A portrait of Alexander Hamilton is at right. “GOLD” is printed in large gold inks at top center. A red scalloped Treasury Seal is near the bottom, just to the right of center. A large 1000 counter is found at left and bold blue serial numbers are within gold panels at lower left and upper right. The engraved signatures of Rosecrans and Nebeker are along the bottom frame line. The vibrant orange-gold back design is elaborate, with a bald eagle with shield at center and a large Roman numeral M counter at left.

Two of the four recorded examples are permanently impounded in the collections of the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago (C24675) and San Francisco (C29156). Serial number C24623 was long used as the Friedberg plate note for the catalog number, but the source of the image and whereabouts of the note are unknown. It has not been seen in decades and is possibly in an institutional collection. The presently offered note, with serial number C26834, was discovered in 2013 and first came on the market in a January 2014 auction where it realized $881,250.

The note exhibits bold inks and vibrant colors and just a moderate degree of circulation. Full margins nicely frame this rarely seen design. The grading service makes mention of “Minor Restorations” on the back of the holder and indeed they are difficult to detect. This is almost certainly the only example of this catalog number that will be available for quite some time, if ever.

PCGS Population: 1, none finer.

From Heritage Auctions’ sale of January 2014, lot 17167.

Est. $300,000-$500,000