Friedberg 268 (W-799). 1896 $5 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency Very Choice New 64. Face Approval Final Proof.Hessler-5037. Black on India paper, mounted on original wide margin card. Signatures of Tillman-Morgan. No plate letter. Central vignette, Electricity Presenting Light to the World. The final design proof as submitted for approval use. Fully annotated at the B.E.P. The bottom margin bears the handwritten date, April 10, 1896, and the initials, T.F.M., for Thomas F. Morris, in brown ink. In light blue ink is stamped "APPROVED," and "CHIEF OF BUREAU." A second handwritten notation, possibly the initials of a second party, appears at the lower left. This is unidentified. This 1896 face proofs are rarer than the variants seen on the Series of 1895. A tremendously gorgeous proof impression. Deep black with superb printing clarity. Some handling on the card perimeter only. The India paper is striking. A historic proof with the B.E.P. annotations. Formerly from the Bass Collection and sold by us for $11,500 in 2011. Immensely important in the development of the final execution of the issued notes of this famous "Banned in Boston" Five Dollar type. Once again, an opportunity to obtain a museum piece.<p>From our Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection Sale, Part V, August 17, 2011, lot 5030; purchased from Mrs. Louise Entriken, December 16, 1971; formerly in the collection of Robert F. Schermerhorn.
