First National Bank of Pomona, California
large size $5, brown back
This specimen was lot 3481 in Stack's Bowers ANA Auction (Chicago, August 2013), where it sold for $35,250. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Incredible Pomona Number One Five Dollar Brown Back, National Bank Note. Pomona, California. $5 1882 BB. Fr. 469. The First NB. Charter #3518. PCGS Extremely Fine 40. Serial Number 1. This remarkable piece is a new addition the NBN Census. Previously three First National Bank of Pomona Brown Backs were reported prior to this number one appearance. The three included a single $20 note in Very Good, and two additional $5 pieces with one Uncirculated and the other a Fine-Very Fine. The last to sell was the Uncirculated note which brought $27,600 in a 2006 public sale. This number one note should be equally desirable, as this particular $5 design is very popular. Just two banks operated under this town name and the later chartered American National Bank of Pomona is represented without any known Brown Backs. This pushes the population of number one Brown Backs on California to 15 pieces, with eight being $5 notes.
The quality is quite terrific as one would expect for a serial number one note. There are only a few folds and the note retains highly detailed penned signatures. Large portrait vignette of James A. Garfield at left and with title layout at center. There is no vertical overprinted date in brown at left of center and there is also no geographic letter overprint. The back design shows the always appealing large central guilloche with stylized charter number at center in blue. State seal of California at left and spread winged depiction of our national bird at right. Original paper is noted and it seems PCGS withheld a "PPQ" designation as there are a few small flecks of rust at the lower left of the back. Certainly a note that will find its way into one of the most advanced collections of National Bank notes. This bank was chartered on June 8, 1886 in an era in which this outlying area of Los Angeles was under a rapid stage of development catalyzed by expanding coverage of railroad systems."
large size $5, red seal
This specimen was lot 21139 in Heritage auction 3576 (Orlando, FL, January 2020), where it sold for $3,613.20. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Unique Pomona Red Seal, Pomona, CA - $5 1902 Red Seal Fr. 588 The First NB Ch. # (P)3518 PMG Very Fine 20. The only known Red Seal from Pomona and a note that was once a centerpiece of Charley Colver's collection as it was the only Red Seal he was able to locate from his hometown after decades of searching. Last on the market in our sale of Charley's holdings in 1999 where it realized $6,050 on an estimate of $1,500-$2,500, it is now finally available for a new generation of collectors. It is an evenly circulated and solid piece with a distinct red overprint and two-color pen signatures. From the Norris Turner Collection."
large size $5, date back
This specimen was lot 18015 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $920. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $5 1902 Date Back Fr. 591 The First NB Ch. # (P)3518. A high grade Date Back, albeit a trifle aged and with the signatures a bit faded. Very Fine. Ex-Colver collection sale, lot 1944."
large size $5, plain back
This specimen was lot 5773 in Stack's Bowers ANA Auction (Chicago, August 2011), where it sold for $7,475. The catalog description[1] noted, "Stunning PCGS Superb Gem New 67 PPQ Pomona, California, National Bank Notes. Pomona, California. $5 1902 PB. Fr. 599. The First NB. Charter #3518. PCGS Superb Gem New 67 PPQ. A sensational item which will surely grab the attention California National collectors. The note is technically stunning with boardwalk margins and perfectly original paper. Vivid inks make up the design and overprints while bold stamped signatures add to the appeal. Surely the finest known for the bank and worthy of a premium bid. Included with the lot is an original letter of the note being gifted." This specimen was subsequently lot 20339 in Heritage auction 3574 (Norris Turner collection, Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $2,040.
large size $10, brown back
This specimen was lot 21137 in Heritage auction 3576 (Orlando, FL, January 2020), where it sold for $1,500. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Pomona, CA - $10 1882 Brown Back Fr. 482 The First National Bank Ch. # 3518 PMG Very Fine 20. A great new addition to the census of this Pomona bank that is the first $10 Brown Back to surface from here. It has a couple of minor rust specks on the back but, otherwise, exhibits problem-free wear, nice color, and legible signatures. From the Norris Turner Collection."
large size $10, date back
This specimen was lot 20516 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, November 2017), where it sold for $504. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, California. $10 1902 Date Back. Fr. 617. The First NB. Charter #3518. PMG Very Fine 20. A nice circulated example from this popular classic car cultured California location."
large size $10, plain back
This specimen was lot 18017 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,495. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $10 1902 Plain Back Fr. 625 The First NB Ch. # 3518. A lovely note with little evidence of any real circulation, and in fact a far nicer Pomona Blue Seal than any Charley Colver, who was born in Pomona and made a special effort to obtain high grade examples from here, was able to acquire. Extremely Fine-About Uncirculated. Obtained from Lyn Knight's Memphis, 1997 sale, lot 248."
large size $20, brown back
This specimen was lot 21138 in Heritage auction 3576 (Orlando, FL, January 2020), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Pomona, CA - $20 1882 Brown Back Fr. 496 The First National Bank Ch. # (P)3518 PMG Choice Fine 15. The lone $20 Brown Back reported from this Los Angeles County bank and a note that has been off the market since our consignor acquired it out of John Hickman's sale of the Philip Krakover collection in 1990. It is a circulated example with some minor repairs but retains a bold brown overprint and legible signatures. From the Norris Turner Collection."
large size $20, plain back
This specimen was lot 18018 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $805. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 651 The First NB Ch. # 3518. A high grade large example. Very Fine. Ex-Lyn Knight's Memphis, 1997 sale, lot 249."
small size $5, type I
This specimen was part of lot 18019 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $546.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 1, $20 1929 Ty. 1 The First NB Ch. # 3518. A nice circulated matched pair, each grading Very Good-Fine. (Total: 2 notes)."
small size $5, type II
This specimen was part of lot 18020 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $690. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $5, $10 1929 Ty. 2 The First NB Ch. # 3518. A pair of Type 2 examples, both grading a nice Fine-Very Fine or better. (Total: 2 notes)."
small size $10
This specimen was part of lot 18020 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $690. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $5, $10 1929 Ty. 2 The First NB Ch. # 3518. A pair of Type 2 examples, both grading a nice Fine-Very Fine or better. (Total: 2 notes)."
small size $20
This specimen was part of lot 18019 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $546.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pomona, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 1, $20 1929 Ty. 1 The First NB Ch. # 3518. A nice circulated matched pair, each grading Very Good-Fine. (Total: 2 notes)."
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