First National Bank of Culver City, California
small size $5
This specimen was lot 20226 in Stack's Bowers Spring 2024 Auction - Session 6 - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, March 2024), where it sold for $1,140. The catalog description[1] noted, "Culver City, California. $5 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1800-1. The First NB. Charter #11732. PMG Choice Extremely Fine 45. A short-lived institution from a locale steeped in the allure of the filmmaking industry, the First National Bank of Culver City, although chartered in 1920, elected to issue only small-size notes before entering receivership in January 1932. With a total circulation of approximately $217,830, notes from this locality are somewhat of an uncommon site on the market today. With the abundance of collectors specializing in California and sparse auction appearances, a meager total of 14 notes are recorded for this institution by the National Bank Note Census. On its own, this note represents a scarce opportunity, but in conjunction with the $10 & $20 presently offered from the same institution the chance to build a complete set representing the breadth of this charter's issue in a single day represents an opportunity likely to never be repeated unless the most comprehensive collection of California Nationals surfaces for public offering." This note was previously lot 17679 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,495.
small size $10
This specimen was lot 20227 in Stack's Bowers Spring 2024 Auction - Session 6 - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, March 2024), where it sold for $504. The catalog description[1] noted, "Culver City, California. $10 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1801-1. The First NB. Charter #11732. PMG Very Fine 20. Like its counterparts offered at present from this charter, this note represents a scarce opportunity in its own right as a total of only 5 $10s are enumerated on this Los Angeles county institution by the National Bank Note Census. This evenly circulated example will make a fine addition for California specialist seeking to add this downright elusive charter to their holdings."
small size $20
This specimen was lot 20228 in Stack's Bowers Spring 2024 Auction - Session 6 - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, March 2024), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted, "Culver City, California. $20 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1802-1. The First NB. Charter #11732. PMG Very Fine 30 EPQ. Representing the rarest denomination for this charter with only a meager 4 examples recorded by the National Bank Note Census, this example like its counterparts represents a rare opportunity for the California specialist to acquire a rare charter and possibly a complete set of notes from this short-lived institution. Noted for "Exceptional Paper Quality" by PMG."
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