San Francisco, California. Imperial Government of Norton I. Sept. 17, 1871. 50 Cents. Imperial Treasury Bond Certificate. PMG Very Fine 30. Uniface. Printed on bond paper. Very large, bond-like format note 215mm X 118mm. Lithographed with lengthy imprint at base, "CUDDY & HUGHES, Printers to His Majesty Norton 1, 511 Sansome Street, S. F." Printed in all red. Bottom left, half-length portrait of Emperor Norton I in uniform. Lower right, young girl similar to some other types on the series. Top center, <em>"San Francisco",</em> with space for date to the right. Ornately scrolled "Received of…" with line for issue. Denomination "FIFTY CENTS" in center over four line obligation: <em>"The Amount with Interest to be convertible in to 7 per cent. Bonds/in 1880, or payable by Agent of our Private estate in case the Government of Norton does not hold firm./In testimony whereof, we hereto affix our royal seal and signature,"</em> Lower left, ink stamped (blurry) "N" logo in circle. Boldly signed at the lower right "Norton I Emperor" in blue pen. Hand dated 17 Sept. 1871. No serial number. We last offered this piece in our May 2008 sale where we said..."The Norton I notes have been well researched once again after over a 20 year hiatus since the Henry Clifford Sale. In context with our modern sense, he created himself as a celebrity in the best of San Francisco traditions. Starting in the early 1860s, he issued proclamations proclaiming himself Emperor of the United States (and briefly Protector of Mexico) and over time issued many other published declarations. Wearing his ill fitting uniform, but maintaining a good humor, his popularity made him a celebrity that any modern era game show host would have loved to have on their tri-panel podium. On his best day he might have made Truman Capote seem a bore (a point probably in contention). He was busted only once by an over zealous official and brought before the Commissioner of Lunacy (now there is a Cabinet level post waiting to happen!) who promptly receipted back $4.75 in bonds and the "Royal Key". Joshua A. Norton (born February 4, 1819 in Algoa Bay, South Africa and died January 8, 1880, San Francisco) was once a businessman who may have stashed gold away to stave off creditors from his bankruptcies and court cases in the late 1850s. One of the truly great articles on Norton was written by Fred Marckhoff for Cal Coin News in 1961 and based on the primary source material researched from Robert E. Cowans The Forgotten Characters of Old San Francisco (Ward Ritchie, reprinted 1964). The setbacks that befell Norton were perhaps the creation of a psychological profile that morphed into the Emperor persona. If he was crazy like a fox, this persona was a money maker. The creation of his unusual "bonds" to sell to the public was certainly a grand and wise creation. The Marckhoff article was extremely illuminating for the period and there has been little to augment its diagnostic information on the notes in the interim. There are at least four series of different types with two series represented in the Ford sale. The red series note featured here is known in facsimile form. In early 1880, San Franciscans mourned when the Emperor fell over at California and Grant and expired in a scant ten minutes. Reportedly, 10,000 citizens came to view the passed regal figure and wealthy "fans" decked out the gala event in all splendor fit for his high mightiness. His final internment was in the Masonic Cemetery. Like many numismatic treasures, the Norton I notes amply serve the ability to maintain legendary status for someone that was more than just another "character." In the lore of Western American personages, Emperor Norton I is truly a lasting icon.There appear to be at least four different series of these Norton I notes including the one that this note is from. This might be the rarest series. The note is folded in eight with some other handling. Very bright and vibrant from the face. Viewed from the back, some toning is seen on the left half. Widely margined and a visually impressive Western note. An extremely important opportunity for the California specialist and key United States Obsolete Currency note."This note has since been graded and encapsulated with PMG commenting "Stains, Minor Repairs" on the back of the holder.
