First National Bank of San Diego, California
large size $5, brown back
The first specimen was lot 9694 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, March 2012), where it sold for $2,558.75. The catalog description[1] noted,
"National Bank Notes. San Diego, California. $5 1882 BB. Fr. 467. The First NB. Charter #3050. Poor. An important discovery note even with the highly limited condition. Of all issuing charters within San Diego only a scant six 1882 brown backs were previously known. A single from this charter being a Five Dollar serial number one note which has never publicly sold. Another serial number one $20 on the Consolidated National Bank, charter 3056, which shows a single public appearance and cost the buyer $27,500.00 in 2001. The other four known are all from the Merchants National Bank of San Diego with three fives known in EF, Fine and Very Good and a single $10 brown back in VF. The most recently offered of that quartet was the $10 note which brought a hefty $25,300.00. This note is seen with large pieces missing, primarily at the upper right, garbled borders, and heavy wear is observed. Even with these problems the note still represents a rare filler which collectors will surely appreciate. Our estimate is pure speculation and is not indicative of value."
The second specimen was lot 20688 in Heritage auction 3567 (Long Beach, CA, September 2018), where it sold for $42,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Rare Serial Number 1 San Diego $5 Brown Back. San Diego, CA - $5 1882 Brown Back Fr. 467 The First NB Ch. # 3050. This is the first of a wonderful group of Serial Number 1 notes from this popular southern California city that we are privileged to offer in tonight's auction. It is one of only three serial number 1 Brown Backs extant from San Diego and one of two reported from this institution. The other piece listed in the census grades only Fine, and has never, according to the National Bank Note Census, been available to collectors at public sale. This piece is quite lovely in appearance with wide margins and excellent color with just a minor restoration mentioned by the grading service. Any estimate here for this PMG Extremely Fine 40 California trophy note is simply a guess, as this community boasts one of the strongest collector bases in the country, but if rarity, demand, and quality produce their usual results, the likely ending here is in the range of...."
large size $5, date back
This specimen was lot 18103 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $2,185. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1902 Date Back Fr. 590 The First NB Ch. # (P)3050. Only one $5 Date Back and one $10 Date Back are recorded in the census from this bank, and the Horwedel collection contains both examples. This piece grades Fine, with close trim at the top and a small corner tip off."
large size $5, plain back
This specimen was lot 18104 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $2,300. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1902 Plain Back Fr. 598 The First NB Ch. # (P)3050. A nice circulated example with unusually vivid colors on its overprint, causing the note to appear considerably higher grade than it really is. Fine-Very Fine."
large size $10, date back
This specimen was lot 18105 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $2,070. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $10 1902 Date Back Fr. 616 The First NB Ch. # (P)3050. A nice example which is the only $10 Date Back listed in the census. Fine-Very Fine. Ex-Lyn Knight's February, 1999 sale, lot 637."
large size $10, plain back
This specimen was lot 98103 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, California. $10 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 624. First NB. Charter #3050. PMG Very Fine 25. A mid-grade $10 Plain Back from San Diego issued by the First National Bank (Charter# 3050). This note features the stamped signatures of Cashier George S. Pickrell and President Frank J. Belcher, Jr. who served together from 1920 to 1925. From the Eric Agnew Collection Part V."
large size $20, plain back
This specimen was lot 10513 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $1,057.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, California. $20 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 650. The First NB. Charter #3050. PMG Very Fine 20. An honestly circulated note with decent signatures and good overall eye appeal. We sold a PMG VF 35 last year for just shy of $2000. We feel this note will bring the middle of our estimate."
large size $20, plain back, red seal
This specimen was lot 18107 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $7,475. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $20 1902 Red Seal Fr. 639 The First NB Ch. # 3050. A very rare San Diego note which is one of only two Red Seals reported from this institution. This is the only one of the two we've ever seen for sale, and in fact the only Red Seal we've ever had to offer from this avidly collected southern California community. Fine."
large size $20, plain back, blue seal
This specimen was lot 18108 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $690. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 650 The First NB Ch. # (P)3050. Amazingly, this was the only large note from this San Diego bank that Philip Krakover could acquire before his untimely passing. About Fine, with clear signatures. Ex-Philip Krakover collection sale, lot 449."
small size $5 (First National Trust & Savings Bank)
This specimen was part of lot 18109 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,150. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 1, $10 1929 Ty. 1, $20 1929 Ty. 1 First National Trust & Savings Bank Ch. # 3050. Three small size notes from this bank's second title. The $5 grades Fine, while the $10 and $20 grade Fine-Very Fine. (Total: 3 notes)"
small size $10 (First National Trust & Savings Bank)
The first specimen was lot 1990 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, March 2010), where it sold for $230. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, California. $10 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1801-1. The First NT and SB. Charter #3050. Fine. This San Diego bank shows even and honest circulation. Would make a great type example."
The second specimen was part of lot 18109 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,150. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 1, $10 1929 Ty. 1, $20 1929 Ty. 1 First National Trust & Savings Bank Ch. # 3050. Three small size notes from this bank's second title. The $5 grades Fine, while the $10 and $20 grade Fine-Very Fine. (Total: 3 notes)"
small size $20 (First National Trust & Savings Bank)
This specimen was part of lot 18109 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,150. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1929 Ty. 1, $10 1929 Ty. 1, $20 1929 Ty. 1 First National Trust & Savings Bank Ch. # 3050. Three small size notes from this bank's second title. The $5 grades Fine, while the $10 and $20 grade Fine-Very Fine. (Total: 3 notes)"
Link to:
- return to National Bank Notes of San Diego County, California
- see National Bank Notes of California for a complete list by charter number