17690

Fr. 871a $5 1914From the collection of Malcolm A. Trask Fr. 871a $5 1914 Federal Reserve Note. Gem N

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Paper Money - United States Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Fr. 871a $5 1914From the collection of Malcolm A. Trask Fr. 871a $5 1914 Federal Reserve Note. Gem N
Fr. 871a $5 1914From the collection of Malcolm A. Trask <B>Fr. 871a $5 1914 Federal Reserve Note. Gem New.</B></I> This previously unknown Serial Number 1 Five Dollar Blue Seal is not only the sole known number-one Blue Seal Five, but it is in fact the only low-number Blue Seal Five known. There are four Red Seal Five serial-number Ones known, three of which reside in their respective district Federal Reserve Banks. Each of the twelve districts began their Red Seal printings with a serial number-one note. When the switch was made from Red Seals to Blue Seals, the serial number run, which in all cases had been part of the "A" block was continued, as no district printed anywhere near 100,000,000 notes for Red Seals. No "1A" Blue Seal notes ever existed. To our best knowledge, only the Chicago and New York districts reached the 100,000,000 mark and continued on into the "B" block. Thus, only two number-one Blue Seal Fed Fives ever existed. Until this point, neither had been known, although within the hobby, there had always been conjecture that this Chicago District number-one note was out there somewhere. The basis for that conjecture was the fact that G100000000A ("G one hundred million A"), which is offered next, had been known. It had been presumed, quite logically, that if the final note from the A block had been preserved and was in private hands, the first note from the "B" block would also have been saved. Its whereabouts, until now, remained unknown. Although we do not know when and from whom Malcolm Trask acquired this note, it has been in his collection for over half a century. Mr. Trask's collecting years overlapped with William Philpott's dealing years, and it is certainly possible, if not probable, that Philpott was the source. In any event, the appearance on the market of this note opens up the possibility for a single collector to represent the Five Dollar Blue Seal Fed type as a serial-number-one note in his collection. As with all unique numismatic treasures, pre-sale estimates are usually little more than guesswork. In this case, however, our $50,000 estimate has some rationale. Enough unique number-one notes have changed hands in the last six months to give us some realistic guidance.<BR><I>From the collection of Malcolm A. Trask.</B></I> <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. This lot is being auctioned in conjunction with a live floor auction by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, and all other information should be considered preliminary. Lot:17690