First National Bank of Chino, California
large size $5
This specimen was lot 17647 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $16,675. The catalog description[1] noted, "Chino, CA - $5 1902 Plain Back Fr. 602 The First NB Ch. # (P)10271, This is one of only three notes known from this Riverside County community, and only the second opportunity in sixty years to obtain any note from this town at public sale. The Colver collection contained two of the three known pieces, with the first now permanently ensconced in a major southern California holding and the second obtained at that sale by Lowell. It fetched $6050 at the Colver sale, and now, in a far stronger market and with this perhaps the last opportunity for a generation to obtain any note from here, is very likely destined to realize considerably more tonight. Very Fine. Ex-Charles Colver collection sale, lot 1723." This specimen was subsequently lot 20288 in Heritage auction 3574 (Norris Turner Collection, Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $4,500.
large size $10, date back
This specimen was lot 20290 in Heritage auction 3574 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Serial Number 1 Chino Large Size, Chino, CA - $10 1902 Date Back Fr. 620 The First NB Ch. # (P)10271 PMG Very Fine 25. A great serial number 1 note from Chino's sole issuer, a bank that was only in business from 1912 until its liquidation in 1929. The only number 1 example reported from here, it was a highlight of Charley Colver's collection that we auctioned in 1999. Off the market, since that time, it is available for a new generation of collectors to enjoy. At that time, this pleasing pen-signed piece fetched $10,450 on an estimate of $5,000-$9,000. Twenty years later, considering the market's appetite for true wonder notes, this great piece of California financial history should realize in the range of...."
large size $10, plain back
This specimen was lot 21126 in Heritage auction 3576 (Orlando, FL, January 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Chino, CA - $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 654 The First National Bank Ch. # 10271 PMG Choice Fine 15. One of a paltry six documented on this rare large size only issuer, and specifically, this is the only $20 amongst that half dozen. Charter number 10271 was in existence from 1912 to 1929, when it was absorbed by charter number 13044. This is the first auction appearance for this note. It is in a comment free PMG holder and comes with two post cards of different views of Sixth Street with the bank building visible. The post cards are not graded, but one example is of the real photo type. From the Norris Turner Collection."
Link to:
- return to National Bank Notes of Riverside County, California
- see National Bank Notes of California for a complete list by charter number