18963

Soldier, ID - $5 1902 Date Back Fr. 594 The First Soldier, ID

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:2,600.00 USD Estimated At:45,000.00 - 65,000.00 USD
Soldier, ID - $5 1902 Date Back Fr. 594 The First Soldier, ID
<B>Soldier, ID</B></I> - $5 1902 Date Back Fr. 594 <B>The First NB</B></I> Ch. # (P)10162<BR>A simply incredible note which was recently discovered and is offered here for the first time to the numismatic community. It's easily the most significant Idaho note we have ever been privileged to offer (and, having previously sold the Knudsen holdings, the largest collection of Idaho material ever auctioned, we've certainly had more than our share of great notes from here), and ranks as a true miracle of survival. This bank lasted for only eight years, the first three of which were spent in Soldier, where it issued a miniscule quantity of Date Backs only, while the last five took place in nearby Fairfield, where it issued an even smaller quantity of Plain Backs only after it moved in 1915. It was the sole issuer in both locations, and, prior to the discovery of this specimen, both towns were unknown, as no other notes from this bank with either title have ever turned up. Making the survival of this note even more unlikely is the fact that the town of Soldier no longer exists, having become a ghost town when the railroad bypassed it in 1915. Reports of the time indicate that Soldier became a ghost town almost overnight as residents and businesses moved the two miles to the railroad and re-established their community as Fairfield, leaving Soldier as just a memory. Fortunately for collectors, this one note has survived, and, even more fortunately, it is a high grade and most attractive example as well, with great color, bold signatures, and great overall eye appeal, easily making the full <B>Very Fine+</B></I> grade despite the presence of just the very slightest wear on a small section of the back. Any estimate here is pure speculation, as unique notes from Idaho come up for sale perhaps once every decade, but we would not be at all surprised if our estimate is not only reached but surpassed before the hammer falls on this true wonder note this evening.