First National Bank of Wilmington, California
large size $5, date back
This specimen was lot 93433 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, March 2024), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "Wilmington, California. $5 1902 Date Back. Fr. 592. The First NB. Charter #9515. PMG Fine 12 Net. Located in the southern portion of Los Angeles County Wilmington is one of the many bedroom communities that compose the City of Los Angeles. A total of 9 notes are recorded here by the National Bank Note Census of which two of those are Date Backs like the note presented here, a rare opportunity for the scrutinizing specialist of California Nationals. PMG comments "Minor Margin Damage," hence the net grade."
large size $5, plain back
This specimen was lot 20240 in Stack's Bowers Spring 2024 Auction - Session 6 - U.S. Currency (Costa Mesa, CA, March 2024), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "Wilmington, California. $5 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 600. The First NB. Charter #9515. PMG Very Fine 25. Hailing from a small bank just south of Los Angeles, the First National Bank of Wilmington was a relatively short-lived institution that only issued from 1909 to 1924. Out of a total circulation of less than $340,000, a total of 9 notes are recorded here by the National Bank Note Census. Of those example, the example presented here retains exceptional eye appeal on account of bright paper, vivid penned signatures, and selvage along the bottom margin."
large size $10
This specimen was lot 18384 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,495. The catalog description[1] noted, "Wilmington, CA - $10 1902 Plain Back Fr. 626 The First NB Ch. # (P)9515. A very scarce Los Angeles County bank which was this town's sole issuer during its less than fifteen year run. Only eight notes are known, with offerings few and far between, the last coming back in 1999 when we sold the Colver collection. Very Good."
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