Fr. 268. 1896 $5 Silver Certificate. PCGS Currency Superb Gem New 67 PPQ.The Series of 1896 $5 Silver Certificate is part of the famed "Educational" series of Silver Certificates known for their artistically stunning designs and motifs representing history and achievement. The central vignette on the face is titled, Electricity Presenting Light to the World and is based on the work of mural artist Walter Shaw. The exposed breasts of certain figures in the design caused several Boston society ladies to rally against the note, while some banks refused to accept them. The back design was conceived by Lorenzo H. Hatch and Thomas F. Morris. It features a winged Victory at the center, with wings spread toward vignettes of Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan, Union generals during the Civil War who were credited with the Union victory.<p>The presently offered example comes framed by wide margins and is ideally centered as the Superb Gem grade assignment would suggest. The plate impression is darkly inked and displayed in vivid detail. The red and blue overprints are boldly printed and sharply detailed. Certainly this is among the finest examples of this type. This popular design type is ranked #5 in 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman.<p>