Friedberg 152. 1874 $50 Legal Tender Note. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. The Series of 1874 notes featured new motifs, departing from the one-year design used for the Rainbow Series notes of 1869. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin is seen at left while an allegorical representation of Columbia as a fierce young woman with crown, sword and shield is at right. An ornate die counter is at center with FIFTY over the Roman numeral L within. Ornate large red Roman numeral L protectors are left and right of center, while a red spiked Treasury Seal is centered near the bottom of the note.This catalog number displays the engraved signatures of Treasurer Spinner and Register Allison. The back design is executed in green and is somewhat more open than on the Series of 1869 notes. These notes were produced by the Columbian Bank Note Company whose imprint is found on the back at bottom center.This is the finest graded example of the catalog number and the only uncirculated note certified by PMG. It displays plentiful margins and a boldly inked plate impression. The overprint inks are vividly displayed and quite distinctive. Vibrant green inks are seen on the well centered back design along with a strip of blue security tint and fibers to the right of center. The Joel R. Anderson example was graded Very Choice New 64 PPQ by PCGS Currency and realized $75,000 in our October 2018 auction. The Pogue example, which was previously part of the collection of Dr. Edward and Joanne Dauer, displays superior centering which earned it a higher grade. This finest graded note should approach, if not exceed, the six-figure threshold. <em>From Federal Brand Enterprises sale of August 1964, lot 1028; Lyn Knights sale of October 1991, lot 1289; Heritages sale of September 2007, lot 15292; our sale of August 2012, lot 7590. </em>
