Type of Friedberg 268-270 (W-799-801). 1894 $5 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency About New 50. Central Vignette Progressive Essay Proof.Hessler-358. India paper, mounted on original card. Central design vignette for Electricity Presenting Light to the World. Penciled notation as "1st Proof" and cataloged as such in Hessler. The development of the vignette of course changed along the way. Slightly different from the Bass example (note upper lines in the Hessler plate, page 108). Some wrinkling of the India paper, but a sharp impression. Previously from our March 2011 ANA sale where it brought $4,025.In the early 1890s plans were discussed to create a new series of Silver Certificates, enlisting the talents of artists who were known for their murals, specifically E.H. Blashfield, Will H. Low, and Walter Shirlaw. The idea was to create "scenic" motifs on various denominations. In time, serious work was done on values of $1, $2, $5, and $10, with motifs and sketches made for the $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1,000. Only the three lower denominations were ever produced, creating the beautiful Educational Notes that are so highly prized today.<p>Harry W. Bass, Jr. enjoyed this series in particular and formed the finest display ever, consisting of proofs as offered here and the No. 1 serial sheets of each denomination. We were honored to present these incredible pieces at auction at the 2011 Worlds Fair of Money.<p><p>Our August 17, 2011 ANA sale, lot 5409; R.M. Smythes sale of June 13-14, 2003, lot 2455A.