First National Bank of Torrance
large size $10
This specimen was lot 18321 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,955. The catalog description[1] noted, "Torrance, CA - $10 1902 Plain Back Fr. 630 The First NB Ch. # (P)10396. A very scarce example from this avidly sought after Los Angeles County community. Fine, a bit dark, but likely to be a popular item nevertheless. Showing the popularity of large notes from here, this piece realized $1840 when Lowell bought it in 2003. Ex-Currency Auctions of America's September, 2003 sale, lot 3015."
large size $20
This specimen was lot 18322 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $2,357.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Torrance, CA - $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 656 The First NB Ch. # (P)10396. A second large example, considerably nicer than the first and almost as high grade as the Colver piece, which realized $3300. Bright Fine-Very Fine, the signatures faded."
small size $10
This specimen was lot 20250 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[1] noted, "Torrance, California. $10 1929 Ty. 1. Fr. 1801-1. First NB. Charter #10396. PMG Very Fine 30. Hailing from one of a number of neighborhoods that compose the Greater Los Angeles area; Torrance is a rare locality for National Bank Notes. Home to two National Banks; the First National Bank and the Torrance National Bank (Charter# 14202) this note is representative of the former institution which was succeeded by the later in 1934. Just 17 notes are recorded on the First National Bank by the National Bank Note Census placing this note among rare company even by the standards of California where large banks out of San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles account for the lion's share of the notes recorded on the entire state."
small size $20
This specimen was lot 18323 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,380. The catalog description[1] noted, "Torrance, CA - $20 1929 Ty. 1 The First NB Ch. # 10396, Just as scarce in small size than large, and likely to be almost as expensive, as the Colver specimen, which graded only Fine, brought $2090. Nice Fine+."
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