First National Bank of Covina, California
large size $5, brown back
This specimen was lot 20344 in Heritage auction 3563 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $4,080. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Covina, CA - $5 1882 Brown Back Fr. 477 The First NB Ch. # (P)5830. Covina was Charley Colver's home town, and before his passing in 1998, he amassed the largest holding of Covina notes ever assembled. His collection, which we auctioned in May of 1999, contained nine of the sixteen notes now reported from this bank, as well as the only uncut sheet, a $5 Brown Back sheet which even at that time fetched $77,000. This piece, which was lot 1745 in that sale, was the only single $5 Brown Back reported on the bank and, nearly twenty years later, it still is. Evenly circulated and solid PMG Choice Fine 15."
large size $5, value back
This specimen was lot 40242 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2015), where it sold for $10,575. The catalog description[1] noted, "Exceptional Covina 1882 Value Back, Covina, California. $5 1882. Fr. 574. The First NB. Charter #5830. PCGS Very Fine 30 PPQ. This important Los Angeles County offering will certainly grab the attention of California collectors as this 1882 Five Dollar Value back becomes just the third known Value Back and easily the finest of that trio. The total number of large known is pushed to 14 with this example and outside of a few known high grade Plain Backs and an uncut sheet of Brown Backs, this offering can be considered the finest large size available. Excellent original paper is seen throughout and wonderful penned banking signatures are noted. The last public appearance of a large size note from this charter was in 2004 where one of the other two Five Dollar value backs sold for $3,680 in a Very Good grade. This nearly Extremely Fine example should certainly bring a strong realization."
large size $10
This specimen was lot 30471 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, November 2015), where it sold for $7,637.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Rare Covina California 1882 Value Back, Covina, California. $10 1882 VB. Fr. 577. The First NB. Charter #5830. PCGS Very Fine 35. An exciting California offering on this Los Angeles County charter that easily becomes one of the finer known large-size available on the bank. The note has the initial appeal of an Extremely Fine note with just subtle circulation and bold signatures. Original embossing and paper are observed looking through the holder and it seems just an incredible subtle stain at the top border is all that prevented PCGS Currency from applying their "PPQ," designation. Large even borders further the desirability and the last Value Back of the now three known to sell was a Very Good example that brought $3,680 in a September 2014 public sale."
large size $20
This specimen was lot 20647 in Heritage auction 3567 (Long Beach, CA, September 2018), where it sold for $1,500. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Covina, CA - $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 659 The First NB Ch. # (P)5830. Covina was Charley Colver's home town, and before his passing in 1998, he amassed the largest holding of Covina notes ever assembled. His collection, which we auctioned in May of 1999, contained nine of the sixteen notes now reported from this bank, as well as the only uncut sheet, a $5 Brown Back sheet which even at that time fetched $77,000. This piece, which was lot 1753 in that sale, was one of the nicest Covina specimens offered. Nearly twenty years later, it still is one of the highest grade examples reported from this Los Angeles County institution. Bright PMG Very Fine 30, with a couple of minor rust specks on the back hardly worth mentioning."
small size $10, type I
This specimen was lot 20649 in Heritage auction 3567 (Long Beach, CA, September 2018), where it sold for $900. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Covina, CA - $10 1929 Ty. 1 The First NB Ch. # 5830 A very scarce small size $10 from this always in demand Los Angeles County bank and one of the nine pieces in the census. This pleasing PMG Very Fine 25 specimen was once part of the famed Charley Colver collection which we sold in 1999."
small size $10, type II
This specimen was lot 20650 in Heritage auction 3567 (Long Beach, CA, September 2018), where it sold for $900. The catalog description[1] noted, "Covina, CA - $10 1929 Ty. 2 The First NB Ch. # 5830. An evenly circulated small size example from the hometown of famed California collector Charley Colver and, not surprisingly, a note that resided in Charley's collection that we sold in 1999. PMG Very Fine 25, and one of just ten Series 1929 pieces in the census."
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