Stack’s Bowers Galleries recently concluded its highly successful Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction. Hundreds of important paper rarities from several distinguished collections achieved $7,521,894 across four distinct sessions, including the firm’s inaugural U.S. Currency Rarities Night auction, which realized $4,954,260. (All prices include the buyer’s premium.)
Among the 187 lots offered in Rarities Night, highlights from the Shores Collection Part II and the McLaughlin Collection of Napier – Thompson Notes set the tone as rare notes commanded significant attention from bidders. From the Shores Collection Part II, the finest publicly available Gold Certificate issued under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1863 (lot 23144) realized $516,000, while a Fr. 1218g, one of just two pieces in public hands, (lot 23180) sold for $312,000. The impeccable selection of rarities from the Mclaughlin Collection of Napier – Thompon Notes also garnered strong results. The cut sheet of four Fr. 231 $1 Silver Certificates, Serial Numbers 1, 2, 3, & 4 (lot 23074) and the Fr. 1170 $10 Gold Certificate, Serial Number 1 (lot 23145) each realized $120,000 at the conclusion of protracted bidding.
Additional results from these two important collections include:
- Lot 23183: Fr. 1220. 1922 $1000 Gold Certificate. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 EPQ. Realized $192,000.
- Lot 23182: Fr. 1219e. 1907 $1000 Gold Certificate. PCGS Banknote Choice Uncirculated 63. Realized $168,000.
- Lot 23150: Fr. 1176. 1882 $20 Gold Certificate. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. Realized $132,000.
- Lot 23170: Fr. 1200m*. 1922 $50 Gold Certificate Star Note. Mule. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ. Realized $108,000.
- Lot 23171: Fr. 1205. 1882 $100 Gold Certificate. PMG Very Fine 25. Realized $108,000.
- Lot 23157: Fr. 1184. 1906 $20 Gold Certificate. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. Carmi A. Thompson Courtesy Autograph. Serial Number 1. Realized $102,000.
The selection of Colonial, Continental, and Confederate notes in Session 2 achieved strong results. An extremely rare period counterfeit imitating a genuine T-64 $500 issued by the Confederate States of America (lot 20189) realized $22,800, while highlights from the Bull Run Collection, such as a T-2 $500 issued out of Montgomery (lot 20161) brought $21,600, demonstrating continued interest in Confederate rarities.
Session 3 focused on National Bank Notes and saw some exceptional prices realized. A recently discovered Series of 1902 Red Seal $100 issued by the First National Bank of Bonham (Charter# 3094) was offered in lot 21235. Representing the first example of its type and denomination from Texas to be offered at auction since 2003, the note realized $66,000. An exceptional pairing of important Nationals from Colorado also saw strong results as lot 21116, one of just five surviving Original Series $20s from Colorado Territory, brought $60,000, and lot 21117, a Series of 1882 $5 Brown Back, Serial Number issued by the First National Bank of Greeley (Charter# 3178) sold for $43,200.
Part IV of the Eric Agnew Collection likewise commanded significant bidding, and the many exceptional prices demonstrated strong interest in National Bank Notes from California.
Highlights included:
- Lot 21030: Hayward, California. $5 1902 Date Back. Fr. 593. First NB. Charter #10018. PMG Extremely Fine 40. Realized $38,400.
- Lot 21017: Emeryville, California. $10 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 626. First NB. Charter #9410. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58. Realized $31,200.
- Lot 21097: Tranquility, California. $10 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 632. First NB. Charter #11433. PMG Very Fine 30. Realized $28,800.
- Lot 21094: Stockton, California. $20 1875. Fr. 434. First NB. Charter #2412. PMG Very Fine 25. Realized $24,000.
Session 6 presented an exciting array of large size type notes such as the finest Fr. 1002 encapsulated by PCGS Banknote (lot 22255) which realized $4,920 and rarities such as a Serial Number 1 $5 Federal Reserve Note from the Atlanta district issued under the Series of 1934D (lot 22041), which brought $5,280.
Complete results for the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction are available at stacksbowers.com. For information about consigning to one of the firm’s Showcase or Online auctions call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
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