| Description |
United States of America � Fr. 1382 Fractional Currency Shield with Gray Background. Framed. Very Fine. An attractive example of the very popular Fractional Currency Shield. These were made to be used in banks and post offices for the purpose counterfeit detection. They were manufactured between June 1866 and May 1869 and are composed of 39 First, Second, and Third issue uniface Specimen notes affixed to a pre-printed large piece of cardboard. There are 20 faces and 19 backs, all uniface. Most of the notes are bright, but the 25� Second Issue back, as frequently observed, has faded to light blue. There are four hand-signed notes with three being Jeffries-Spinner and one, the 10� Third Issue, being a Colby-Spinner. Some signed notes have ink erosion, but the Grant-Sherman notes in the fourth row are vibrant and well-above average. The gray background is bright and sharply printed, with the stars and eagle appealing. Very little water damage is seen (as normal, due to old Treasury storage), but some perimeter flaking is seen on the backing near the interior frame edges at the top. The frame is apparently contemporary, as the shields were all shipped flat, without a frame. There are bangs here and there on the frame, but the overall presentation of this example is better than most seen by us. It has an impressive pedigree and will certainly be a spectacular display piece for the next collector. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20201, realized $4320. |
