Fr.1140 1873 $5 First National Gold Bank Stockton, CA, Charter #2077, PCGS 15 Comment
This listing is for sale ONE note ONLY. The scanned image displayed the front and back of the exact note you will receive.
National Gold Bank Notes were a unique form of currency issued only in California from 1870 to 1875, during the Gold Rush period. Unlike typical currency, these notes were backed by gold coins and could be redeemed in gold, not just standard legal tender or silver, offering a distinctive and valuable form of money.
The design of the 1873 $5 National Gold Bank Note is a striking blend of artistry and symbolism, featuring on the front a dramatic vignette of Christopher Columbus in sight of land, flanked by intricate scrollwork and detailed line engraving that reflect the precision of 19th-century intaglio printing.
The back of the note shows a detailed image of a pile of gold coins, highlighting that the note was backed by real gold. It was printed in black and gold-brown ink, which made it stand out from other banknotes at the time and reminded people that it came from California during the gold rush era.
This note originates from the First National Gold Bank of Stockton. According to the census, there are fourteen known examples of this denomination. It is a well-circulated piece offered at a reasonable price.
Grade: PCGS 15 Comment
Denomination: $5
Type: National Gold Bank Note
Year: 1873