Friedberg 193b (W-3390). 1864 $100 Compound Interest Treasury Note. PCGS Currency Extremely Fine 40.It has been nearly a dozen years since an example of this rare $100 Compound Interest Treasury Note was publicly offered. Just 13 examples of this Fr. 193b are known to exist and this serial number 41188 example is the finest by quite a margin. The design type depicts Washington standing at center with allegorical depictions of <em>The Guardian</em> at left and <em>Justice</em> at right. Large 100 protectors are seen at top left and right while the engraved signatures of Colby and Spinner are seen near bottom center. A small red spiked Treasury Seal is at top right with the issue date of Oct. 15, 1864 below. Ideal bronzing is seen on this example with a large 100 in the upper left and COMPOUND INTEREST TREASURY NOTE across the center. <p>The intricate back design features large 100 counters at left and right with interest information at center. Any signs of circulation are light, as this example likely spent much time tucked away in anticipation of redemption which fortunately never occurred. Most of the handling is relegated to the edges and corners. The paper is still bright and free of any distracting marks or obvious impairments. PCGS mentions "Edge Restorations" on the back of the holder. Any such restoration work is deftly executed and difficult to detect even under close scrutiny. <p>Of the 13 examples of this catalog number known, most are recorded as Fine or Very Fine, with one of those residing in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Three others are listed as Poor or Good. This is the lone note graded above Very Fine, long reported as Extremely Fine and now assigned a numeric grade of 40 by PCGS. It last sold publicly in an October 2005 auction for $66,125. Collector interest in these "middle of the (Friedberg) book" notes has been much stronger in recent years and we would not be surprised to see a realization that exceeds the high end of our estimate when our auctioneer cries "Sold!" for this wonderful piece. In actuality, the early issue should be at the front of the book, but cataloging has become more sophisticated since its first edition, and changing numbers is not easy to do. When the Friedberg book was released in 1953 it revolutionized the collecting of federal currency issued from 1861 onward.<p><strong>$100 Compound Interest Treasury Notes of 1864</strong><p>Compound Interest Treasury Notes of the $100 denomination were issued under acts dated March 3, 1863 and June 30, 1864. These notes bore interest at the rate of 6% per annum for three years. The notes were only payable at maturity with the bearer being due a total of $119.40 upon redemption three years after the issue date. It would seem logical that most were held by banks or in investment portfolios, but as extant examples are typically well-circulated, they must have continued in general commercial channels, valued at the final redemption figure. This is a reminder that there is still much history to be learned in the field of 19th century currency.<em>From Currency Auctions of Americas sale of May 1998, lot 1529; Lyn Knights sale of October 2005, lot 19.</em>
