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The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 39, September 27, 2015, Article 28

SELECTIONS FROM HOLABIRD 2015 MILLION DOLLAR SALE

Here are some items that caught my eye in the Holabird Americana 'Million Dollar Auction' September 25 - October 4, 2015. -Editor

Lot 5099: Tonopah, Nevada - $10, 1929

Tonopah, Nevada - $10, 1929

One of the highlights of this auction is this note! With just two Type 1 $10s confirmed, when will you get a chance to acquire another $10? The other $10 in the census happens to be serial number 1 in Unc. So, if you want a small size Tonopah $10 and you can't afford a serial number 1, this note is your chance! Facsimile signatures of Arthur G. Raycraft, cashier and John G. Kirchen, president. Condition: Fine. Serial Number: 184. Nevada First National Bank Of Tonopah History: Chartered in February of 1907 with a capital $100,000. During its twenty-five years of being a bank, they only issued $47,400 in small size notes. When the bank was voluntary liquidated on September 2, 1932 and by September 13, 1932 $18,860 was still outstanding.

The banks first president, Malcolm Macdonald install the telephone and telegraph system through-out Southern Nevada, bringing even the remotest camps and mines into instant communication with the outside world. The last cashier of the bank, Arthur G. Raycraft was known as Nevada's "Father of Wireless". Raycraft started experimenting with radio communication as early as 1909. In February 1911, Raycraft developed a news service for the Tonopah Daily Bonanza that provided them with news from around the world. It is claimed that this was the first newspaper news service in the state of Nevada. By 1919, Raycraft developed a system that allowed communication with all of the mining camps near Tonopah and in 1920 he formed the Nevada Wireless Telegraph and Telephone Company. And interesting fact about this bank it that it is the only national bank in the state to use the world “Nevada” as part of their name during the note issuing period. Tonopah Nevada HWAC# 32235

To read the complete lot description, see:
Tonopah, Nevada - $10, 1929 (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/Tonopah-Nevada-10-1929-Type-1
-Nevada-First-National-Bank-Of-Charter-8530-Fr-1802-1_i23262708)

Lot 5310: B. Max Mehl Promissory Notes

B. Max Mehl prommisory notes

Three promissory notes from 1956/7 signed by legendary Texas coin dealer B. Max Mehl to the Fort Worth National Bank in the amounts of $10,000 and $25,000 (2). Mehl ran his first coin ad in The Numismatist in 1903, and by 1924 he was spending $50,000 a year for advertising. His "Star Coin Book" gave the American people prices he would pay for coins and millions were introduced to coin collecting. His mail order business grew to such a success, more than half the mail coming to the city of Fort Worth went to his office at 1204 W. Magnolia Street. His flamboyant marketing caused some to call him the P.T. Barnum of numismatics. Texas HWAC# 28124

To read the complete lot description, see:
B. Max Mehl Promissory Notes (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/B-Max-Mehl-Promissory-Notes_i23262926)

Lot 5364: Silver Cal State Agricultural Society Medal

Best Artificial Limbs medal

Classic older style Cal State Ag medal. 1 3/4" diameter. silver (unmarked sterling?). Allegorical vignettes of California on obverse, including mining. No engraver or maker initials. Awarded to "Robert Reed, Best artificial limbs". Satin finish, possibly from cleaning. holed, repaired. California 1878 HWAC# 31746

Who could resist a "Best Artificial Limbs" medal? -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
Silver Cal State Agricultural Society Medal (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/Silver-Cal-State-
Agricultural-Society-Medal_i23262982)

Lot 5366: Silver Cal State Agricultural Society Medal

Best Bound Account Books medal

Classic older style Cal State Ag medal. 1 3/4" diameter. silver (unmarked sterling?). Allegorical vignettes of California on obverse, including mining. No engraver or maker initials. Awarded to "F. Foster & Co. for best display of bound account books". Lightly wiped, mirror finish, but not as good as 31741. couple minor edge dings. California 1883 HWAC# 31742

Here's one for the bibliophile: Best Bound Account Books -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
Silver Cal State Agricultural Society Medal (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/Silver-Cal-State
-Agricultural-Society-Medal_i23262984)

Lot 5372a: Counterfeit Coins

Counterfeit Coins

1889 Morgan dollar, 1892 Barber quarter, both base metal counterfeits. HWAC# 28544

To read the complete lot description, see:
Counterfeit Coins (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/Counterfeit-Coins_i23262978)

Lot 5471: Bank of California Duplicate of Exchange

Bank of California Duplicate of Exchange

Rare! Has 20 cent and 4 cent California adhesive revenue stamps with tied cancels. Also has 2 cent orange US IR adhesive revenue. Exchange No. 9366 issued August 5th, 1869 for $333.33 to James G. Weld. Signed by Thomas Brown. Red font and vignette upper right with allegorical figures. 4.25"x 8.75" with folds and creases. San Francisco California 1869 HWAC# 28648

To read the complete lot description, see:
Bank of California Duplicate of Exchange w/ rare CA revenue stamps (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/Bank-of-California-Duplicate
-of-Exchange-w-rare-CA-revenue-stamps_i23263089)

Lot 5533: US Mint Photographs

U.S. Mint Photograph

Lot of 2: rare photos of the US Mint work force, and of the inside work room and workers. Both are faded and starting to yellow with age. Images are approx. 6.5" x 5" and 5" x 4" respectively. Rare. San Francisco California 1913 HWAC# 28437

To read the complete lot description, see:
US Mint Photographs (http://bid.holabirdamericana.com/US-Mint-Photographs_i23263152)



Wayne Homren, Editor

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