First National Bank of Hermosa Beach, California
large size $10
This specimen was lot 17765 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,725. The catalog description[1] noted, "Hermosa Beach, CA - $10 1902 Plain Back Fr. 635 The First NB Ch. # (P)12209, An evenly circulated example from this avidly collected Los Angeles County coastal community. While not truly rare, our records show that it has been nearly four years since any example from here, large or small, has been available to collectors at public sale. Very Good-Fine."
large size $20
This specimen was lot 20178 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,020. The catalog description[1] noted, "Hermosa Beach, California. $20 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 661. First NB. Charter #12209. PMG Fine 12. Representing the other half of the 20 notes recorded by the National Bank Note Census on this seaside community overlooking the Pacific Ocean; this example is one of 10 large size Nationals recorded. Featuring the extant signatures of Cashier G.S. Thatcher and President R.E. Matteson and a relatively low bank serial number of 47, it would stand to reason that this note was most likely among the first shipment of notes ever delivered to the bank not long after chartering in 1922. A rare note in any respect; this piece would do well in building a solid foundation for an expansive collection of California Nationals."
small size $10
This specimen was lot 10493 in Stack's Bowers sale (Baltimore, March 2017), where it sold for $6,462.50. The catalog description noted, "Finest Known Small-Size First National Bank of Hermosa Beach National. Hermosa Beach, California. $10 1929 Ty. 1. The First NB. Charter #12209. PMG Choice Very Fine 35 EPQ. A stunning example of this Los Angeles County note on Hermosa Beach which is the finest available of just nine small-size notes per the Track and Price census. The note has all the appeal of a higher grade with circulation so subtle it is only observed under scrutiny. The last small-size note to sell was a PMG Very Fine 20 graded $10 note that realized $3,290 in an April 2016 sale. An offering that may well prove our estimate conservative."
Catalog reference: Fr. 1801-1.
small size $20
This specimen was lot 20179 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "Hermosa Beach, California. $20 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1802-1. First NB. Charter #12209. PMG Very Fine 25. Hailing from one of a number of beach-side resort towns in the Greater Los Angeles area; the town of Hermosa Beach is represented by 20 notes recorded in the National Bank Note Census. Representative of that figure, this example is just one of five Type 1 $20s recorded and 10 small size notes overall. First chartered in 1922 the First National Bank led a rather unremarkable life before falling victim to receivership likely as a result of the Great Depression in December of 1932. A remainder of that rather unremarkable life; this note is nonetheless a tangible numismatic legacy of this idyllic locale situated on the shores of the Pacific."
- Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Paper Money of the United States, 17th Ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2004.
Link to:
- Coins and currency dated 1902
- Coins and currency dated 1929
- return to National Bank Notes of Los Angeles County, California
- see National Bank Notes of California for a complete list by charter number