The green background Fractional Currency shields were made prior to the gray shields and it is believed that fewer than a dozen green background shields are known. The green background is deep and bold, very clearly visible and not to be confused with the far more common gray background. There is some minor underlying water staining seen along the center edges and top right outside the green border area and a couple of small internal tears outside the shield area next to the matted overlay. The frame is not contemporary but the piece is well matted enhancing the overall appearance. The notes themselves are quite sharp overall and are some of the nicest this cataloger has seen on any gray, pink or green shield. They are free from any serious water damage or toning and all display good color. In our 2015 March Baltimore sale we offered another Green shield as lot 4028 that brought an impressive $25,850. We would rate this shield toward the top end of the grade census, finer than the piece we sold in March even. We suggest strong bidding as we are unsure when another example this nice will be available. The original purpose of Fractional Currency shields was to illustrate the various denominations and varieties produced by pasting specimen, or one-sided impressions, on a printed background, usually gray. These were intended for use by bankers to detect counterfeits. In time, most were lost or destroyed. Today examples with the gray background are seen with some frequency and are in strong demand. Much rarer are those with a pink background or, as here, a green background. ， Est. $20,000-$30,000
