Type of Friedberg 247-248 (W-367-368). 1897 $2 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency Very Choice New 64. Face Progressive Essay Proof.Hessler-SCE9. Black print on India paper, mounted on original wide margin card. Undated and without signatures. Progressive proof with central vignette, Science Presenting Steam and Electricity to Commerce and Manufacture. Vignette appears to be similar to adopted notes of 1896. Details in upper corner counter development have changed. A fairly advanced die proof. Exceedingly rare and important. The plate note in Hessler is from the BEP. We have not encountered another example being sold in our research save for the 2011 sale of this note in the Bass Collection. Originally in the group of Educational developmental proofs once owned by Schermerhorn. There are some very trivial wisps of foxing here and there. Overall, quite breathtaking and we emphasize that this is extremely important. Worthy of the next museum caliber collection it resides in.<p>This fairly advanced proof, while not by any means complete, shows the designers intent to brighten the composition and clarify the denomination markers. Thin, ornamental lathework was used to produce the upper corner frames which would hold the denomination markers in the final product. As there is no mention of the Series 1897 $2 note in Hessler, it is likely that this design was not ever completed, and other progressive die proofs are probably not known to exist.<p>From our Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection Sale, Part V, August 17, 2011, lot 5017; purchased from Mrs. Louise Entriken, December 16, 1971; formerly in the collection of Robert F. Schermerhorn.
