Miami Valley Coin Club

Inscribed Currency

A Series 1891 $5 Treasury note coming up for sale at Heritage’s May 1 auction in Schaumburg, Illinois, has a somewhat odd distinction: It shows the signatures of two treasurers of the United States, one above the other, and it’s not a mistake. One of them is a courtesy autograph that makes what is already an extraordinary note exceptional.

 

 

The autograph is that of John Burke, treasurer of the United States from April 1, 1913, to Jan. 5, 1921. It is to the left of the seal and above the facsimile signature of Enos H. Nebeker, treasurer from April 25, 1891, until May 31, 1893.

The Friedberg 362 note bears the serial number B1, and is graded New 62 by PCGS Currency. It is the only serial number 1 example possible for the note, since B is the only serial number prefix used for the issue. The star after the number predates the use of stars to designate replacement notes. Here, it was used as a security device to prevent alteration of the serial number.

U.S. currency notes with writing on them, commonly called “inscribed bank notes”, is another specialty subset of currency collecting. While there are many collectors of “short snorters”, notes that GI’s created during WWI, WWII, and the Korean wars, there are many other collectible examples of “inscribed” currency. The note above is just one example.

I have seen many examples of notes with the actual autograph of the current U.S. Treasurer inscribed above his or her facsimile autograph. This 1891 Treasury note first sold in 1944 for just $42. It remained off the market until 1963. Now it will be on the auction block in Schaumburg this May.

There are several examples of these “inscribed” notes currently on eBay. One has President Trump’s and Vice President Pence’s autographs on it and is listed for only $1,499.00 (or the best offer).Happy bidding everyone!