Fr. 353. 1890 $2 Treasury Note. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. Low

A High-Grade Example of a Tough Series of 1890 $2 Treasury Note Serial Number 51 Fr. 353. 1890 $2 Treasury Note. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. Low Serial Number. By far one of the most distinctive issues among the field of distinctive designs that were used for the Treasury Notes of the 1890s. The $2 Treasury Note issued under the Series of 1890 is a scarce prospect regardless of grade or Friedberg Number and is seldom seen when compared to the pieces issued under the Series of 1891. This particular specimen represents the Rosecrans - Huston signature combination which was the first to be used for this type and denomination and comes from a population of under 300 individual pieces recorded by Track & Price and stands among a few survivors that were saved as souvenirs. Here a two-digit serial number which reads "A51" can be observed at left and right and effortlessly complements the visual and technical distinctiveness of the grade assigned by PMG lending this note something lost upon the vast majority of surviving $2 Treasury Notes. Evocative of that very distinction, bidders may look upon both knife-like margins and sharp corners that serve to frame a cacophony of floral and geometric detail on both sides. Yet thanks to the material condition of this item each of these elements are brought to uncommon form that embodies what it means to be exceptional. From shades of evergreen that lend an uncommon boldness to a back design that embodies an exceptional level of complex detail that seemingly melds floral elements with a complex array of geometric elements, bidders are met with not only a testament to the technical complexity inherent to the Series of 1890, but also a fine counterpoint to the face design. Anchored by a portrait of James B. McPherson (1828 - 1864) who holds the distinction of being the second highest-ranking Union officer to be killed in action behind his counterpart John Sedgwick who was felled by a Confederate sharpshooter's round in Virginia, McPherson's portrait is seen directly to the right of a veritable tapestry of engraved and overprinted detail. Looking left, one may observe elements such as the brownish-red Treasury overprint which contrasts against not only McPherson's portrait, but also important elements and counters that are seemingly joined together by interlocking masses of floral detail. These very details though are not only a testament to grade level, but the overall distinctiveness of this design which is recognized by Bowers and Sundman in their book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes in the 15th position alongside iconic company such as the $1 Silver Certificates issued under the Series of 1899. Further held together with the fact that this example represents an exceptional prospect for the collectors, it takes little to reason that this very note will make a fine exemplar for not only this series which found little love at the Treasury but also the collection it may soon call "home" after bidding has ended. Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000. Click here for certification details from PMG.

Estimate:$18,000

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