| Description |
Canton, MO - Bank of the State of Missouri, Bank in Canton $5 Oct. 1, 1859 MO-60 G54a SENC. PCGS Fine 15. All issued notes from the bank in this period are greatly rare and important. This is an exceedingly rare, if not unique, fully issued Canton branch $5 note with the rarely used Dr. Kane in the Arctic vignette. This series differs from the Civil War-dated notes with the state's banking commissioner signature required. Printed by Toppan, Carpenter & Co., Philadelphia & New-York with a small "ABC" monogram at the far left. At top center is a vignette described in period accounts (contemporary Bank Note Reporters like Gwynne & Day) as "Dr. Kane in the Arctic." In 1853, Dr. Elisha Kane led the second Henry Grinnell expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, who had disappeared with his two ships and crew while searching for the Northwest Passage (one of the great mysteries of early nineteenth century exploration). After their ship became icebound, the party trekked north for over 80 days, losing one man, before reaching open water and a ship to bring them to safety. In the central vignette, the ice party is shown loading their sled with supplies from the dinghy while a team of tethered huskies waits; the icebound ship Advance is at right in the near background. In each lower corner are male portraits, both likely engraved for the bank's use (the lower right portrait may be bank president Barnes). At the far left is a vermillion color edging strip outlining COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED, a very unusual tint feature. Plate A. No. 2230. Signed by A. Robinson and R. A. Barnes (a slaveholder and secessionist sympathizer). Countersigned by Geo. Penn as "ass't" commissioner. A problem-free note and perhaps the only issued note from the series and branch. Quite solid and bright overall, this is another issued Missouri note from the Newman Collection that appears to be unique. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20149, realized $4080. |
