Central National Bank of Los Angeles, California
large size $5, red seal
This specimen was lot 20672 in Heritage auction 3567 (Long Beach, CA, September 2018), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Los Angeles, CA - $5 1902 Red Seal Fr. 589 The Central NB Ch. # (P)8827. A rare Red Seal from this short lived Los Angeles bank which issued Red Seals and Date Backs only during its short seven year run before closing forever in February of 1913. This is a superior looking example for the third party grade of PCGS Very Fine 25PPQ, with white paper, dark inks, and paper originality. The two color signatures are of Cashier J(ames) B. Gist in purple ink and President Geo. Mason in black ink. Mr. Mason died in 1909."
This specimen was subsequently lot 20327 in Heritage auction 3574 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $1,380. This specimen was subsequently lot 21056 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2025), where it sold for $1,680. The catalog description noted, "Los Angeles, California. $5 1902 Red Seal. Fr. 589. Central NB. Charter #8827. PMG Very Fine 25 EPQ. An impressive example of a short-lived type that owes its end to the passage of the Aldrich-Vreeland Act. This note is one of only just nine pieces recorded on the Central National Bank of Los Angeles (Charter# 8827) by the National Bank Note Census and features the signatures of Cashier J.B. Gist (Stamped) and President George Mason who served together during 1908. From the Eric Agnew Collection Part III."
large size $5, plain back
This specimen was lot 3480 in Stack's Bowers ANA Auction (Chicago, August 2013), where it sold for $1,292.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "National Bank Notes. Los Angeles, California. $5 1902 DB. Fr. 592. The Central NB. Charter #8827. Choice Very Fine. This is the first auction appearance for any note on this bank since 2007, with the three recorded Date Backs all coming from the same sheet, serial 496. The Central was chartered in August 1907, and issued under this title until September 1913, when the moniker was changed to the Security NB, of which no notes have yet to surface. This gorgeous example certainly has the initial appearance of a near Uncirculated note, with the dark blue seal and charter numbers contrasting nicely against the sharply printed face." This note was previously lot 17867 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $373.75.
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