American National Bank of San Diego, California
large size $5, red seal
This specimen was lot 20341 in Stack's Bowers Winter 2022 Auction - Session 9 - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $38,400. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Newly Discovered San Diego $5 Red Seal, One Millionth $5 Red Seal, San Diego, California. $5 1902 Red Seal. Fr. 587. The American NB. Charter #7418. PMG Choice Very Fine 35 EPQ. Here is a special note which is sure to grab not only San Diegans collectors attention, but National collectors attention as a whole. According to the treasury serial number, this was the One Millionth $5 Red Seal note issued, for all National charters combined. A treasury serial number this special comes forth once in a blue (or red depending on your seal preference) moon, so we would not be surprised if our high estimate is met or exceeded. The A1000000 treasury serial number takes into account all $5 Red Seals printed by every National Currency issuing bank. This will be the fourth $5 Red Seal to come forth from this San Diego issuer, with ten large size notes now known to the bank according to the National Bank Note Census. This is the lowest serial number for reported Red Seals (171) from the issuer. The note itself is quite a dish for the grade: the paper is original with punch through embossing readily noticed through the third party holder. Dark red inks of the overprints contrast nicely against the dark black design details. The signatures are large and neatly penned, readily legible in brown ink. One of the more pleasing examples we have encountered of the type, for the grade level.
The American National Bank of San Diego was chartered in October of 1904, and issued $1,186,500 during its operating tenure. The bank was liquidated on December 29th, 1917 with $200,000 reported out at close. This is the finest graded Red Seal note to have crossed the public auction block from this issuer, according to Track & Price. The last Red Seal to have traded hands from this issuer was in a 2018 public auction, and that example, a PMG Choice Fine 15, fetched $6,600. In fact, according to the National Bank Note Census, this appears to be the finest graded $5 Red Seal from San Diego to have crossed the auction block. Ten banks issued currency in San Diego county, two of which are unreported. This special and far more eye appealing note should easily eclipse that number."
large size $5, date back
This specimen was lot 18112 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $4,370. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1902 Date Back Fr. 590 The American NB Ch. # (P)7418. A note which caused a sensation when it surfaced in 1995 as the only National Bank Note in the estate of a Delavan, Wisconsin banker. It was not only the highest grade note reported on the bank but its sale marked the first offering of any kind from here since 1979, as even the massive Krakover collection lacked any example from this bank. A few more examples have since been discovered from this still very scarce bank, but this Date Back is still the second highest grade specimen reported from here to date. Sharp Fine-Very Fine, with strong signatures. Ex-Currency Auctions of America's January, 1995 sale, lot 1805."
large size $10
This specimen was lot 18113 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,150. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $10 1902 Date Back Fr. 616 The American NB Ch. # (P)7418. Well circulated Very Good, with a corner off. Ex-Lyn Knight's February, 2000 sale, lot 691."
large size $20
This specimen was lot 18114 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $2,760. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $20 1902 Date Back Fr. 642 The American NB Ch. # (P)7418. A problem free albeit well circulated Date Back from this much sought after bank and location. Very Good."
Link to:
- return to National Bank Notes of San Diego County, California
- see National Bank Notes of California for a complete list by charter number