This is truly an impressive note that stands as one of the most iconic designs put to print by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing and one that effectively gives form to Gilded Age aesthetics as a financial instrument. This design is replete with floral embellishments, intricate scrollwork, and geometric elements and features the engraved signatures of Register of the Treasury William S. Rosecrans and Treasurer James N. Huston who served together from 1889 to 1891. Virtually the same as the preceding Friedberg Number save for the color of the Treasury seal; this note nonetheless stands among exceptional company thanks the complexity of the design and subject which has helped foster consistent popularity for this design within numismatic circles. Ripe with geometric excess of an almost psychedelic nature like the $1 and $2 and the mournful and reverent depictions of the $10 and $20 Silver Certificates all issued under the Series of 1886; this note reflects a design typical for the era. From elements such as a large dark red spiked Treasury Seal that can be seen left of the portrait of President Ulysses S. Grant. Grants portrait reflects the prevailing trend of depicting those who had just recently died. Having just died in 1885 from throat cancer after hastily completing his memoirs with the assistance of Mark Twain; Grants portrait would mark his inaugural depiction on an issued note in a tradition that has been carried forth without interruption since 1886 appearing on multiple different denominations and types before ending up on the $50 Federal Reserve Note in 1914 where he remains to this very day. Additional elements endemic to the period including the threaded security paper produced by the Crane Company and various intricate denomination counters and decorative embellishments can be observed and make for an attractive sight calling to mind the most intricate and catchy advertisements of the period. The back design which portrays a quintet of contemporary Morgan Dollars dated 1886 and struck by the Philadelphia Mint appear in an almost proof-like radiance that even the collector uninterested in paper money or coins could appreciate without reservation. Laid upon a bed of geometric lathework, the silver dollars flanking the centermost coin and rounded geometric ornament depict the reverse of the design that is partially obscured by "UNITED STATES" obscuring the breast feathers that are so often weakly struck. At center, the observe of this most iconic coin is laid upon a flower-like bed of a large geometric adornment surrounded by "SILVER CERTIFICATE" in a roughly circular arrangement. Ensconced in a roughly rectangular frame; floral-like scrollwork with denomination counters are seen at each end and are each separated by spiked adornments roughly reminiscent of a wrought iron fence makes for an austere sight against the softer forms typically favored by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing typically exemplified by floral elements. Befitting such a striking composition and one brought to life by an exceptional grade that embodies PMGs grading standards to the letter, this piece is sure to shine amongst the distinguished holdings of an advanced collection where it will rightfully assume a place of honor once the dust clears from what is bound to be a spirited bidding process. PMG Pop 2/None Finer
