Stacks Bowers Galleries is thrilled to follow the prohibitively rare issued British Honduras One Dollar note with an even rarer specimen Five Dollars of the same 1894 first emission. We have verified only two 1894 Five Dollar specimens ever presented; this one is by far the finer of the two. <br /><br />As with the issued One Dollar in the prior lot, this Five Dollar note has been held privately for decades, and as the One Dollar, also is presented publicly here for the first time. An issued and a specimen example have never been offered together in the same sale, and we are proud to be the first auction house to present not one, but two possibilities for distinguished powerful collections to showcase each of these notes. Although the general collecting community may not yet be fully aware of the exceptional rarity of this series, the simple fact is that virtually no collection, even the most advanced, can boast of a first issue British Honduras note. Such an opportunity is as rare as the notes themselves.<br /><br />Immediately apparent as an identifying characteristic of the 1894 first issue is "The Government of British Honduras" printed in a straight line. An equally obvious indicator when held to light, the multiple rows of "crowned CC" watermarks are a diagnostic occurring exclusively in this first issue, and never again used for British Honduras notes. Additionally, many other design details of the short-lived first issue belong uniquely to this 1894 Type. They are clearly altered in the very different next issue, which began a mere two months later.<p>Only a trifling total number of whole examples are known of all denominations of the 1894 series. Please be aware that all are either issued notes or specimens. All specimens are identified by the word "cancelled" diagonally perforated across the body of the note, and if complete, the presence of the counterfoil. Any reference to "remainders" is erroneous, as they do not exist. <p>The counterfoil of this specimen was to be permanently attached by its left edge to the emissions ledger record. If the note were to be issued, the counterfoil would have been imprinted with the same serial letter and number as the note, which would then be detached at its perforated edge and placed into circulation. Luckily for connoisseurs of magnificent quality notes, this example was destined to be protected from that fate and preserved in nearly pristine specimen form. We will conservatively grade it a bright and unmarked Extremely Fine or better.<br /><br />Opening bid: $7000<br /><br />PROVENANCE<br />A long-held, world-class, reference collection.<br /> Extremely Fine.
