Oil City, Pennsylvania. Oil City Bank. Sept. 15, 1864. $1000. Choice Uncirculated.(PA-380 G18a SENC) ABNC. India paper only. Woman filling Union soldiers canteen at left. Woman reclined spilling water from jug at center. Miner seated and smoking at right. Ornate green roman numeral M protectors to left and right. Green ornamental die protector centered at bottom. This high denomination type was unknown in any form until this proof example was unearthed and offered as part of vast holdings of the John J. Ford Jr. Collection. This remains the only example of the $1000 denomination known from this popularly collected Oil City bank. The plate impression is skillfully executed in sharp inks with brilliant green protector inks overprinted. The bright white paper is well margined and crisp. Easily among the greatest Pennsylvania obsolete proof notes known and one of the most impressive proofs from anywhere we have seen in years. This note last realized $8,050 as lot #1216 of the January 2005 Ford auction and we would not be surprised to see that price eclipsed this evening. Likely unique along with the $500 seen here tonight and worth whatever it takes to secure.
