American National Bank of Los Angeles, California
large size $5
This specimen was lot 20188 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $7,800. The catalog description[1] noted,
"A Truly Exceptional Serial Number 1 $5 National from Los Angeles, The Sole Serial Number 1 from this Short-Lived Bank, Los Angeles, California. $5 1902 Red Seal. Fr. 587. American NB. Charter #6545. PMG Extremely Fine 40. Serial Number 1. First chartered in 1902, the American National Bank of Los Angeles was among a glut of new National Banks to spring up during the first decade of the Twentieth Century. Short lived like many of its peers; the American National Bank saw its fortunes come to an end in 1909 seeing its assets absorbed by the Citizens National Bank of Los Angeles (Charter# 5927). Attested to in the present by 17 notes recorded in the National Bank Note Census; this example is nothing short of a miracle of survival that owes its existence to sentimentality and nostalgia. Displaying signs of handling consistent with storage and sporadic handling over the decades; this note was undoubtedly saved as a souvenir by a high ranking bank official. Whether it was the work of Cashier Thomas Woodbridge Phelps or Vice President Thomas Elwood Newlin whose signature appears with the penned "vice" notation is anyone's guess; but one truth remains consistent and that this piece is a significant rarity for even the most advanced collectors who specialize in California Nationals. Only by a levying a premium bid can one hope to secure this treasure and claim it as their own in a quest to build the next great collection of California Nationals."
This note was previously lot 5808 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore sale (Baltimore, March 2011), where it sold for $11,500.
large size $10
This specimen was lot 90060 in Stack's Bowers October 2020 Collectors Choice Online Auction - US Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, January 2022), where it sold for $600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $10 1902 Red Seal. Fr. 613. The American NB. Charter #6545. PMG Very Good 10. Track and Price reports just 16 notes known to this Los Angeles County bank, all of which are large size. This Red Seal $10 is a new addition to the current census, and is found in a Very Good grade. Stamped signatures remain bright and legible, and the red overprints remain appealing for the assigned grade."
Link to:
- return to National Bank Notes of Los Angeles County, California
- see National Bank Notes of California for a complete list by charter number