First National Bank of San Fernando, California
large size $5, plain back
The first specimen was lot 14789 in Heritage auction 456 (Orlando, FL, January 2008), where it sold for $4,312.50. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Lovely San Fernando Note-One of Four Known, San Fernando, CA - $5 1902 Plain Back Fr. 600 The First NB Ch. # (P)9575. This bank issued Third Charter Date Backs and Plain Backs only before liquidating in 1925. While four notes are listed in the census, our records show just three offerings from here during the past sixty years, the last when we sold the Horwedel example, which was virtually identical to this piece in grade, for over $5000 more than three years ago. This is a lovely note with minimal wear and a gorgeous pen signature of Marie Fischer, who signs as A. Cashier. Like all truly rare California notes, it is a real problem to estimate. Our best guess on this Very Fine-Extremely Fine beauty is.... From The Kansas City Collection."
The second specimen was lot 1271 in Goldberg sale 87 (Los Angeles, September 2015), where it sold for $5,698.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "1902, $5 National Bank Note. 1st NB of San Fernando, California. Fr-600. KL-1157. Plain Back. S/N U816393H. A fabulous bright note from the San Fernando Valley with bold signatures and broad margins. This is a dream note worthy of any collection of Nationals. Very Fine." This specimen was subsequently lot 20384 in Heritage auction 3563 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $2,160.
Bibliography:
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 87: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2015.
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