Friedberg 150a. 1863 $50 Legal Tender Note. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 EPQ. One of the most important types in the Legal Tender series and a key note in any important large size type collection. Just around 50 examples are known for all combined catalog numbers of the type, including 1862 and 1863 dated examples. The type features the side profile of Alexander Hamilton in an oval frame just left of center. Green border prints and a green security panel are seen on the face along with intricate black 50 die counters at left and right. A red spiked Treasury Seal is to the upper right of center while the red serial number is printed near the top right corner. A green patent date of April 28th, 1863 is near the top left border. This catalog variety is found with "NEW SERIES 2" at top right. The back has the Second Obligation wording among intricate geometric lathe work. The Pogue example is sharply detailed with boldly printed design elements. Impressive red overprints and green inks radiate off of the surfaces. The design is fully framed by bright, nearly uncirculated paper. There is no real indication of circulation as only handling accounts for the assigned grade. This note last sold publicly in an October 2005 auction for $281,750. At the time it was in a PCGS Currency Choice New 63 holder. In fact, in the three public sales of the note that we can trace it was recorded as Choice Uncirculated. Whatever handling PMG has found to limit their grade is really of little consequence as this note will almost certainly never be surpassed or even equaled. The Fr.150 from the Joel R. Anderson Collection was graded About New 50 PPQ and realized $204,000 when it was sold in our March 2018 Baltimore auction. It later sold again in our November 2019 Baltimore sale for $192,000. The example offered here is far superior to the Anderson specimen and should attract very strong bidding when it crosses the auction block. <em>From William A. Philpott; M.H. Loewenstern; Lyn Knights sale of December 1998, lot 83; Lyn Knights sale of June 2000, lot 290; Jay Parrinos Fixed Price List of February 2002; Sterling Crum Collection; Dave Rickey Collection; Lyn Knights sale of October 2005, lot 55.</em>
