National Bank Notes 1863-1935
Once, National Bank Notes played an important part in daily commerce. They came into existence in 1863 during the Civil War. To help establish a national banking system and raise money to finance the war, the federal government decided to "charter" banks. Local and regional banks became chartered when they purchased government bonds and deposited them into the Treasury to back the "paper" they issued. The charter number served as a guarantee that the issuing bank had U.S. government bonds backing its paper. Along with the charter number, National Bank Notes also carried the bank's name, town and state.
National Bank Notes were authorized by Federal Acts allowing qualified banks to issue their own currency. These large-size notes were issued by chartered banks from 1863 to 1929.
National Bank Notes, backed by U.S. government securities, became predominant. By this time, 75 percent of bank deposits were held by nationally chartered banks. As State Bank Notes were replaced, the value of currency stabilized for a time.
Series of 1870 Gold Bank
Series of 1875 First Charter
CLICK HERE to see Concordia vignette
CLICK HERE to see Landing of the Pilgrims vignette
CLICK HERE to see Pilgrims Plymouth Massachusetts artwork
This eye-catcher is known to collectors as the "Lazy 2" or "Lazy Deuce" because of the large numeral 2 lying on its side. Also on the face is a vignette titled America Seated. The ornate back features a vignette of Sir Walter Raleigh.
CLICK HERE to see Stars and Stripes vignette
CLICK HERE to see Landing of Columbus vignette
CLICK HERE to see Landing of Columbus artwork
CLICK HERE to see Franklin and Electricity vignette
CLICK HERE to see DeSoto Discovering the Mississippi vignette
CLICK HERE to see Discovery of the Mississippi artwork
CLICK HERE to see Battle of Lexington vignette
CLICK HERE to see Loyalty vignette
CLICK HERE to see Baptism of Pocahontas vignette
CLICK HERE to see Baptism of Pocahontas artwork
CLICK HERE to see Embarkation of the Pilgrims vignette
CLICK HERE to see Embarkation of the Pilgrims artwork
CLICK HERE to see Declaration of Independence vignette
CLICK HERE to see Declaration of Independence artwork
CLICK HERE to see Civilization vignette
CLICK HERE to see Surrender of General Burgoyne vignette
CLICK HERE to see Surrender of General Burgoyne artwork
CLICK HERE to see Scott Entering City of Mexico vignette
CLICK HERE to see Washington Resigning his Commission vignette
CLICK HERE to see General George Washington Resigning his Commission artwork
Series of 1882/5 Second Charter
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Date Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Value Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Date Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Value Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Date Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Value Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Date Back note
CLICK HERE to see the 1882 Date Back note
Series of 1902 Third Charter
Series of 1929 Fourth Charter
