拍品描述： United States of America. Act of April 24, 1917. $500 4-1/4% First Liberty Loan Converted 4-1/4% Gold Bond of 1932-1947. May 9, 1918. Extremely Fine.A third denomination from this series and an extremely rare, important high denomination bond. This is a fully negotiable United State Federal bearer bond. In reality, if making a redemption notification to the Federal Reserve, there is considerable paperwork involved and the government considers the redemption "overdue" and, between the lines, inconvenient (this according a 1985 Treasury letter to John concerning the redemption of a First Liberty Loan). Not only a great rarity, but immensely beautiful with industrial <em>Art Nouveau</em> face and illustration art on the back. Long coupon type. this might be complete as issued. Printed at the BEP. 20.5cm by 17.5cm (not including coupons). 58 coupons $10.63 and $10.62 each alternate. Two Coupons cut off or these were on a short-coupon bond. We would need to see one to compare. Style and layout as in this series. Washington at top center as used on small size notes. Blue sunburst background and deeper title in text. Blue coupons. Red spoked Treasury seal. Blue back, design as last two, three WWI soldiers take hill with flag. No.D000595434. There were fewer issued of these than $50 and $100 bonds which were bought by the public, often using savings stamps or participation purchase certificates. A choice example, with natural bond folds and vibrant colors throughout. An epic Liberty Loan that will elicit competition from elite collectors of these or anyone who recognizes how undervalued a financial instrument like this is. It has been off the market for over 17 years and is another showpiece from Johns museum caliber cabinet. A five-figure realization seems inevitable.From the John E. Herzog Collection; 2001 Strasburg Stock & Bond Sale #205 (R.M. Smythe & Co., January 20, 2001, lot 2100).