Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles, California
large size $5, red seal
This specimen was lot 10318 in Stack's Bowers November 2019 Baltimore - Session 5 - U.S. Currency (Baltimore, November 2019), where it sold for $1,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $5 1902 Red Seal. Fr. 587. The Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. PMG Very Fine 30. Great color and freshness, with boldly printed red charter numbers nicely embossed through to the back. The stamped bank signatures are bold, while the note overall is nicely centered and well margined. A delightful Red Seal and most likely the finest of the 33 or so reported examples."
large size $5, blue seal
This specimen was lot 92310 in Stack's Bowers February 22, 2024 Collectors Choice Online Auction - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2024), where it sold for $408. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $5 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 598. The Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. PMG Extremely Fine 40 EPQ. 1 of 52 $5 Plain Backs recorded on this prolific Southern California charter by the National Bank Note Census."
This specimen was lot 95369 in Stack's Bowers November 29-30, 2023 Collectors Choice Online Auction - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $5 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 598. The Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. PMG Very Fine 20. Evenly circulated and graded without comment." This note was previously lot 17853 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $373.75.
large size $10, red seal
This specimen was lot 1507 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, November 2013), where it sold for $440.63. The catalog description[1] noted, "National Bank Notes. Los Angeles, California. $10 1902 RS. Fr. 613. The Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. PCGS Fine 15. Apparent. Repairs. This institution was chartered in February 1903 and conducted business satisfactorily for many years. Red Seal notes were made for a limited period and are among the most desired of early 20th century varieties. The repairs are so well done we are unsure exactly where they are. The Watermelon Collection."
large size $10, blue seal, plain back
This specimen was lot 3401 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, November 2010), where it sold for $126.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "National Bank Notes. Los Angeles, California. $10 1902 PB. Fr. 624. The Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. Very Fine. This note is an attractive mid-grade example with still legible signature and nice overall appeal."
large size $20, date back
This specimen was part of lot 17855 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), which sold for $345. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $20 1902 Date Back Fr. 642, $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 650 The Farmers & Merchants NB Ch. # 6617. Two Third Charter $20 types, each grading Fine but the Date Back with an inch long diagonal edge tear at the top."
large size $20, plain back
This specimen was lot 21053 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2025), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $20 1902 Red Seal. Fr. 639. Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. PMG Very Fine 30. A rare type even for banks that may be considered "common." This Series of 1902 Red Seal $20 is one of only four examples of its type and denomination recorded here by the National Bank Note Census and the second to be offered since 2012 and features the stamped signatures of Cashier Charles Seyler and President Isaias Wolf Hellman, (Sr.) who served concurrently as the President of several banks throughout California. This note is pictured in Paper Dreams in the Golden State on page 52. PMG comments "Discoloration." From the Eric Agnew Collection Part III."
This specimen was part of lot 17855 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), which sold for $345. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $20 1902 Date Back Fr. 642, $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 650 The Farmers & Merchants NB Ch. # 6617. Two Third Charter $20 types, each grading Fine but the Date Back with an inch long diagonal edge tear at the top."
large size $100
This specimen was lot 17857 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $2,185. The catalog description[1] noted, "Unique Los Angeles $100 1902 Date Back. Los Angeles, CA - $100 1902 Date Back Fr. 689 The Farmers & Merchants NB Ch. # (P)6617. An extremely significant Los Angeles note, as this not only the sole high denomination example known from this bank but is the only 1902 $100 Date Back known from any bank in Los Angeles. Nice Fine++."
small size $5, type II
This specimen was part of lot 17884 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $603.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 2, $50 1929 Ty. 1 The Farmers & Merchants NB Ch. # 6617; $5 1929 Ty. 1 The Hollywood NB Ch. # 12804. Three highly collectible small size notes from Los Angeles. The Farmers & Merchants NB $5 is a lovely, bright Extremely Fine, and the $50 grades Very Good-Fine. The Hollywood NB $5 is a Very Good with a couple of trivial pinholes. (Total: 3 notes)."
small size $50, type I
This specimen was part of lot 17884 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $603.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 2, $50 1929 Ty. 1 The Farmers & Merchants NB Ch. # 6617; $5 1929 Ty. 1 The Hollywood NB Ch. # 12804. Three highly collectible small size notes from Los Angeles. The Farmers & Merchants NB $5 is a lovely, bright Extremely Fine, and the $50 grades Very Good-Fine. The Hollywood NB $5 is a Very Good with a couple of trivial pinholes. (Total: 3 notes)."
small size $100, type I
This specimen was lot 21054 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2025), where it sold for $720. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $100 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1804-1. Farmers & Merchants NB. Charter #6617. PMG Very Fine 25. Serial Number 4. Part of the fourth sheet of T1 $100s issued by a bank which once sat at the southwest corner of Fourth and Main in Los Angeles. The National Bank Note Census records this note as the lowest known serial number from the 16 T1 $100s recorded overall. This note is pictured in Paper Dreams in the Golden State on page 53. From the Eric Agnew Collection Part III."
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