| Description |
United States of America - $2 1864 Spencer Clark Proposed Series for Legal Tender Notes Face Essay Proof Hessler USE10b. PCGS Very Choice New 64. Federal Proofs and Essays are all rare. The earliest ones are especially interesting and in this essay series, concepts of the designs were eventually adopted, but for different notes. A superbly designed series, and the second of three denominations for Legal Tender notes proposed by Spencer Clark in an 1864 report to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. The design concepts from this essay series eventually were used on the backs of Original Series National Bank Notes. This is an India paper proof affixed to a pinkish paper new card. Printed by the National Currency Bureau, without an imprint, and with pencil-drawn additions. The full width, progressive version of the Embarkation of the Pilgrims, 1620, is featured, with the two-line penciled title within the vignette. The superb scene adapted from Robert W. Weir's painting (hanging in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol) and engraved by Joseph P. Ourdan for the Bureau is in a preliminary version. It is more detailed in the centers than along the perimeter. The hand-drawn "2" at the upper right was on the next proof version (as plated in Hessler). These essay proofs are exceedingly rare, and this version might be unique. Very distinctive, and a historic proof created in the early days of our National Currency Bureau. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20189, realized $3840. |
