National Gold Bank Notes were National Bank Notes issued by nine national gold banks in California in the 1870s and 1880s and redeemable in gold. Printed on a yellow-tinted paper, six denominations circulated: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $500. A $1,000 note was designed and printed but never issued.Friedberg & Friedberg, 2010, p. 160. During the issuing period of national gold banks (1871–83), the U.S. Treasury issued 200,558 notesHuntoon, 1996, p. 126. totaling $3,465,240. Today, National Gold Bank Notes are rare in the higher denominations (and unknown on some issuing banks) with condition generally falling in the good-to-fine range. Approximately 630 National Gold Bank Notes are known to exist, and roughly 20 grade above "very fine".
History
The National Gold Bank Notes were authorized under the provisions of the Currency Act of July 12, 1870. The series was a result of the California Gold Rush, where gold coins were preferred in commerce. Ten national gold banks were charted, nine of them in California and one in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Kidder Bank was the only bank to have $1,000 notes among others prepared, however, no notes circulated from the bank.About Paper Money - Large-size paper money - Early federal issues Coin World
Issuing banks +Issuers of National Gold Bank NotesFriedberg & Friedberg, pp. 160–63. Title City Charter DateHuntoon, 1996, p. 121.DenominationsTotal issue The Kidder National Gold Bank Boston169915 Aug 187050, 100, 500, 1000Huntoon, 1996, p. 122.$120,000Huntoon, 1996, p. 125. The First National Gold Bank San Francisco174130 Nov 18705, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500$1,185,000 The National Gold Bank and Trust Company San Francisco19943 Jun 18725, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500Huntoon, 1996, p. 123.$853,750 The National Gold Bank of D.O. Mills & Co. Sacramento201419 Jul 18725, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500$270,450 The First National Gold Bank Stockton207727 Jan 18735, 10, 20, 50, 100$414,700 The First National Gold Bank Santa Barbara21047 May 18735, 10, 50, 100Huntoon, 1996, p. 124.$80,000 The Farmers National Gold Bank San Jose215821 Jul 18745, 10, 20, 50, 100$242,590 The First National Gold Bank Petaluma219325 Sep 187410, 20, 50, 100$178,150 The First National Gold Bank Oakland224810 Apr 187510, 20$80,600 The Union National Gold Bank Oakland226620 May 187510, 20, 50, 100$40,000
Series overview
+ Complete type set of known denominations Value Image Plate dates SignaturesRemarks $5 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874Edwin D. Morgan (cashier) andRalph C. Woolworth (president)427 reported$10 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875Galen M. Fisher (cashier) andBenjamin F. Ferris (president)117 reported $20 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875Edwin D. Morgan (cashier) andRalph C. Woolworth (president)71 reported$50 1870, 1874Edwin D. Morgan (cashier) andRalph C. Woolworth (president)7 reportedFriedberg & Friedberg, 2010, p. 162 $100 1870, 1873, 1874, 1875Henry H. Atwater (cashier) andIssac G. Wickersham (president)9 reportedFriedberg & Friedberg, 2010, p. 163 $500 None known 1870, 1872Unknown $1,000 None known 1870 Not issued
Footnotes
Notes
References
External links
About Paper Money - Large-size paper money - Early federal issues Coin World Pictures of National Gold Bank Notes The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco