Merchants National Bank of San Diego, California
large size $5, brown back
This specimen was lot 18110 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $11,212.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Rare San Diego Brown Back. San Diego, CA - $5 1882 Brown Back Fr. 472 The Merchants NB Ch. # (P)4886. An attractive example which is one of just a handful of Brown Backs known from all San Diego banks combined, with this the first we've ever been privileged to handle. Even the Colver collection could only summon up a well used Blue Seal from this scarce bank. Nice Very Fine, with sharp pen signatures. From John Heleva. We don't have the date, but judging from the price, many years ago."
large size $5, plain back
This specimen was lot 18111 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $977.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "San Diego, CA - $5 1902 Plain Back Fr. 603 The Merchants NB Ch. # (P)4886. A second example from this scarce San Diego bank, this far more typical in type and condition. Fine, with a few tiny splits at the folds."
large size $20
This specimen was lot 21146 in Heritage auction 3576 (Orlando, FL, January 2020), where it sold for $5,100. The catalog description[1] noted,
"San Diego, CA - $20 1902 Plain Back Fr. 655 The Merchants National Bank Ch. # (P)4886 PMG Very Fine 20. A new addition to the census of this scarce large-only San Diego bank that is the first $20 Plain Back to be reported. Displaying even wear and nice color for the grade, it has had just some lightening of minor rust stains. It is also the first Third Charter note of any type from this issuer to cross the public auction block in over fifteen years."
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