First National Bank of Santa Ana, California
large size $10, brown back
This specimen was lot 4703 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, November 2012), where it sold for $3,525. The catalog description[1] noted, "Newly Discovered Santa Ana Brown Back, National Bank Notes. Santa Ana, California. $10 1882 BB. Fr. 482. The First NB. Charter #3520. Choice Fine. An exciting note that is a new addition to a previous two known 1882 Brown Back notes for this Orange County charter. The note presented here fits between the previous two in terms of grade as the other $10 note is VG and the $20 note known is VF. The note presented here retains lovely detail and is technically sound for the grade. Legible signatures remains and this is the first public offering of the type for the charter."
large size $10, plain back
The first note was lot 2670 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $4,255. The catalog description[1] noted, "1902, $10 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Very Good 10. While this incredible rarity is from a common bank, it is an important offering as the only known Red Seal from any bank in Orange County. Its importance as such cannot be overstated, as Red Seals were printed on three Orange County banks but none but this piece have survived. It is moderately circulated but basically free of any problems, and grade is likely irrelevant on a rarity of this scale. While the Kelly reference suggests a value in the range of our estimate, we would not be at all surprised if spirited bidding resulted in a hammer price well into five figures."
The second note was lot 2671 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $776.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "1902, $10 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Extremely Fine 40PPQ. A lovely and fully original high-end circulated example from this bank, ideal if you just want one from here."
The third note was lot 2672 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $414. The catalog description[1] noted, "1902, $10 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Extremely Fine 45. A lovely, bright example with just a couple of light hidden folds, this piece bears nice stamped signatures and an excellent appearance overall."
The fourth note was lot 2673 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $333.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "1902, $10 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Fine 15. A decent circulated example from the original home of the offices of PCGS Currency."
large size $20, date back
This specimen was lot 18247 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $460. The catalog description[1] noted, "Santa Ana, CA - $20 1902 Date Back Fr. 643 The First NB Ch. # (P)3520. One of only three $20 Date backs in a census of 57 large notes. About Fine."
large size $20, plain back
This specimen was lot 21134 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2025), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "Santa Ana, California. $20 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 651. First NB. Charter #3520. PMG Very Fine 25. A geographic rarity from the Eric Agnew Collection that represents Southern California. This note represents the First National Bank of Santa Ana (Charter# 3520) which was largely a family affair with members of the Crookshank Family holding leadership positions since the 1890s. The signature of President Angus James Crookshank is noticed on this specimen and is notable for brief disappearance in 1935 when he was caught in a snowstorm while hunting in Lassen National Park which was covered by an October edition of the Santa Ana Journal. This note is pictured in Paper Dreams in the Golden State on page 30. From the Eric Agnew Collection Part III."
The fifth note was lot 2676 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $437. The catalog description[1] noted, "1902, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Fine 15. A solid Third Charter $20 from this Orange County collection."
Small size $10
The sixth note was lot 2700 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $10 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Very Fine 20. This serial number 1 example is the only such note on the bank, the only serial number 1 note known from Santa Ana, and is one of only a handful known from all of Orange County. It is moderately circulated, but given the crease and wear pattern it may very well have been a wallet piece for many years accounting for its survival. With serial number 1 notes from common locales easily bringing low four-figures in almost all cases, this piece could very well surpass our likely conservative estimate and bring a solid mid-four-figure final bid." This note was offered again as lot 1299 in Goldberg sale 87 (Los Angeles, September 2015), where it sold for $763.75.
small size $20
The seventh note was lot 2702 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $414. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS About New 50. The second of two consecutive."
The eighth note was lot 2703 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $310.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS About New 53. The first of two consecutive high grade circulated notes."
The ninth note was lot 2704 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $603.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Choice About New 55. One of the nicest small size notes reported from here."
The tenth note was lot 2705 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $138. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Very Fine 25PPQ. A beautiful, problem-free small size note."
The eleventh note was lot 2706 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $115. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Very Fine 20PPQ. Pleasing and original."
The twelfth note was lot 2707 in Goldberg sale 62 (Beverly Hills, February 2010), where it sold for $115. The catalog description[1] noted, "1929, $20 National Bank Note. The First NB, Santa Ana, CA. PCGS Fine 15. A nice small size note with the only real 'common' bank in Orange County."
Catalog reference: red seal: Fr-614, KL-1217; blue seal: Fr-625, KL-1229; large size twenty dollars: Fr-651, KL-1303; small size ten: Fr-1801-1, KL-1243; small size twenty: Fr-1802-1, KL-1317.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, and Larry Goldberg, Goldberg Sale 62: the Pre-Long Beach Sale, Beverly Hills: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2011.
Link to:
- Coins and currency dated 1902
- Coins and currency dated 1929
- return to National Bank Notes of Orange County, California
- see National Bank Notes of California for a complete list by charter number