Merchants National Trust & Savings Bank of Los Angeles, California
Southern California National Bank of Los Angeles
This specimen was lot 10014 in Stack's Bowers August 2019 ANA - Session 4 - U.S. Currency (Chicago, August 2019), where it sold for $7,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "Unique Layout $10 Brown Back, Los Angeles, California. $10 1882 Brown Back. Fr. 482. The Southern California NB. Charter #3538. PMG Fine 12. This Los Angeles bank operated under three different titles during its time in service. This is the first example of a note to come forward bearing the bank's first title. The bank was chartered in July of 1886 and issued $8,402,750 in National Currency before liquidating in December of 1928. This $10 Brown Back displays average circulation with darkly printed inks and neatly penned signatures."
Merchants National Trust & Savings Bank of Los Angeles
large size $10, brown back
This specimen was lot 17829 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $1,265. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $10 1882 Brown Back Fr. 487 The Merchants NB Ch. # (P)3538. An excessively rare type from this bank. Only two other Brown Backs are known, one a circulated serial number 1 example, the other grading only Very Good. Neither has appeared on the market for years. This example is an evenly circulated Very Good+ with no impairments whatever save for a few minor pinholes. With even the massive Colver collection lacking any early notes from here, expect some serious competition to determine the fortunate collector who brings this home tonight. Ex-Currency Auctions of America's November, 1992 sale, lot 2046."
large size $10, plain back
This specimen was lot 20187 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, California. $10 1902 Plain Back. Fr. 625. Merchants National Trust & Savings Bank. Charter #3538. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. Uncommon quality is the order of the day for this note which was first issued by a common Los Angeles bank. From superb eye appeal to margins as straight and crisp as if they were cut by some kind of machine; this note wears every quality that one would rightly want from a Gem Uncirculated note. Issued under this bank's third and final title; this note is further representative of 26 notes recorded by the National Bank Note Census on its final title out of 81 examples recorded on this charter overall. Truly a great piece to represent Los Angeles and a bank where high grade examples like this one are practically non-existent."
This specimen was lot 17830 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $747.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $10 1902 Plain Back Fr. 625 The Merchants NB Ch. # (P)3538. A lovely example which is as high a grade specimen from here as we know of. About Uncirculated, trimmed just a bit close at the bottom."
large size $20, date back
This specimen was lot 17832 in Heritage auction 354 (the Horwedel sale, Long Beach, CA, September 2004), where it sold for $316.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Los Angeles, CA - $20 1902 Date Back Fr. 643 The Merchants NB Ch. # (P)3538. One of only two $20 Date Backs reported from this bank. Nice Fine-Very Fine, with close trim at the top and bottom more than offset by the bright purple signatures. Ex-Currency Auctions of America's November, 1990 sale, lot 451."
large size $20, plain back
This specimen was lot 3402 in Stack's Bowers Baltimore Auction (Baltimore, November 2010), where it sold for $138. The catalog description[1] noted, "National Bank Notes. Los Angeles, California. $20 1902 PB. Fr. 651. Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles. Charter #3538.2. Very Fine. This note shows with even circulation and only suffers from a minor stain at left. Faded signatures but bright overprints."
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