Friedberg 268 (W-799). 1896 $5 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency Superb Gem New 67 PPQ.This is the largest denomination issued in the "Educational" series, though higher denominations were considered and designs are known for a $10 and a $50. A brief account of this designs creation appeared on a card included with four developmental die proofs, found in the estate of Thomas Morris. It read: <p>"These sketches for the allegorical group for the 1896 $5 Silver Certificate as shown in the three cases represent the work of eminent mural artist Walter Shirlaw. These preparatory sketches were later used in carrying out his full design on canvas. Shirlaw used live models for his work. His complete design as submitted was considered unsuitable for a banknote design, resulting in Bureau officials using only the centre design (allegorical group) and substituting for the balance (border and lettering) a more fitting bank note design as a whole. Thomas F. Morris, Sr., the designer and chief of the Engraving Division of the Bureau, carried through the balance of the design as found on the finished note." <p>The finished composition was engraved to steel by G.F.C. Smillie, with the assistance of others who worked on some of the finer details. The vignette is titled, <em>Electricity Presenting Light to the World. </em>The back design was conceived by Lorenzo H. Hatch and Thomas F. Morris and, as with the face, it was engraved by G.F.C. Smillie. It features a winged Victory at the center, with wings spread toward vignettes of Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan, Union generals during the Civil War who were credited with the Union victory.<p>This is perhaps the most popular design type in all of American currency and is ranked #5 in <em>100 Greatest American Currency Notes </em>by Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman. When issued, the motifs were controversial. The exposed breasts of certain figures in the design caused several Boston society ladies to rally against the note, while some banks refused to accept them. These were in time replaced by the Series of 1899 "Indian Chief" notes. The current Joel R. Anderson example displays low serial number 36 in bold blue ink at lower left and upper right. The magnificent design is sharply printed in vivid detail and framed within large even margins. The paper quality is impeccable. This is among the finest representations of this iconic type that you are likely to encounter. <p><p><strong>PCGS Population: </strong>15, 3 finer.<em>From Lyn Knights Fixed Price List of 1984; Stacks sale of March 1995, lot 1010; Lyn Knights sale of October 2004, lot 88; Heritage Auctions sale of May 2005, lot 17074.</em><p>
