Friedberg 114 (W-1294). 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note. PCGS Currency Superb Gem New 67 PPQ.Offered is an exceptional example of an immensely popular American type note. This 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note is among the finest Fr.114 (W-1294) examples graded by either PCGS Currency or PMG. <p><p>Bison Notes are popular for their motifs inspired by the American West, with the bison on the back and with the face featuring the portraits of legendary explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. This famous duo led the Corps of Discovery Expedition westward out of Saint Louis, along the Missouri River, from 1804-1806 at the direction of President Thomas Jefferson after the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. On the face of the note, an American Bison stands broadside but looks straight on at the viewer. <p><p>The Bison Note, per numismatic nomenclature, is sometimes humorously referred to as the "Buffalo Bill. The animal depicted is Pablo, as sketched by Charles Knight and engraved by M.S. Baldwin. Knight was well known for his talents in sketching and painting wildlife as well as representations of prehistoric animals. A depiction of this particular bison can be found on a 30¢ postage stamp of 1923, among other places. Pablo was officially known as National Zoological Park Bison No. 2926. This animal, which arrived on October 23, 1897, was purchased for $500 from Michael Pablo, a Ronan, Montana rancher. Pablo died on October 3, 1914.<p> <p>The back of the note, titled <em>Progress</em>, shows <em>Columbia</em> standing, seemingly representative of agriculture, flanked by two mostly open blank panes. The vignette was the work of G.F.C. Smillie.<p><p>This broadly margined and ideally centered Bison Note is darkly printed with the engraved design elements in vivid detail. The cherry red overprint is boldly printed with pronounced embossing easily noticed from the back of the note. Of the more than 47 million Lyons-Roberts signed 1901 $10 Legal Tender Notes printed, today just 12 Superb Gem graded examples are known between both PCGS Currency and PMG with no notes graded finer.<p>The Lewis and Clark Expedition, the earliest entry in "westward goes the star of empire," "manifest destiny," and other terms for exploring and settling the West is well remembered elsewhere in numismatics, including on tokens, medals, and coins. The Lewis and Clark Exposition was held in 1904 and 1905 in Portland, Oregon. The Westward Journey series of nickel five-cent pieces includes four different reverse designs.<p><p><strong>PCGS Population: </strong>7, none finer.<em>From Stacks Bowers sale of April 2011, lot 5371. </em>
