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The E-Sylum: Volume 20, Number 42, October 15, 2017, Article 27

MISSOURI RARITIES IN NEWMAN PART VIII

Catalogers Bruce Hagen and Maureen Levine submitted these great obsolete paper money selections from the upcoming Heritage Eric P. Newman Collection VIII sale. Thanks! -Editor

Some of the most intriguing Missouri notes and documents ever offered at public sale are now available for online bidding at HA.com/3547 prior to the November 1-2 sale at the Heritage Auctions headquarters in Dallas. Eric’s magnificent $10 St. Louis Demand Note (discussed in last week’s issue) provides a segue between Session 1 and Session 2, which is completely dedicated to his Missouri material. Some highlights from the second session are outlined below.

Lot 28321: Pre-Banking Bon Scrip

Sam Solomon Bon Scrip front Sam Solomon Bon Scrip back

Pre-Banking Bon Scrip: The Newman Collection 12-piastre note issued by Samuel Solomon is one of three “bon scrip” notes in the sale. Before banks came into existence in the Missouri frontier, handwritten notes payable in “current money” of furs and peltries served as a circulating medium to facilitate commerce. To our knowledge, these bons have never appeared at auction. This example is plated in the fifth edition of Eric’s reference, The Early Paper Money of America.

These plain little notes are quite rare and important - key links to the earliest frontier finance. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
(Upper Louisiana) - Sam'l Solomon "Bon Scrip" for 12 Piastres or Equivalent in Deerskins to Francoise Liberge St. Louis March... (https://currency.ha.com/itm/obsoletes-by-state/mixed-states/-upper-louisiana-sam-l-solomon-bon-scrip-for-12-piastres-or-equivalent-in-deerskins-to-francoise-liberge-st-louis-march/a/3547-28321.s?type=surl-3547--28321&short=3547*28321)

Lot 28355: Territorial Bank “Beaver Bill”

Territorial Bank “Beaver Bill”

Territorial Bank “Beaver Bill”: As westward migration increased, so did the commercial activity in the Missouri Territory, and the bon scrip system was insufficient to sustain economic growth. St. Louis co-founder Auguste Chouteau provided the impetus for the establishment of the Bank of St. Louis (plagued by delays) and the Bank of Missouri (whose notes he signed as founding president). The Bank of St. Louis 1817 $5 engraved note offered in this sale displays the iconic beaver-trapping vignette engraved by Leney & Rollinson, indicative of the fur trade’s importance in the origins and economy of the city.

Another "wow" note. Issued banknotes from this early era rarely survived in such good condition - most were reduced to rags in circulation. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
St. Louis, Missouri Territory - Bank of St. Louis (1st) $5 June 18, 1817 MO-45 G24. PCGS Very Fine 35 Apparent. . .... (https://currency.ha.com/itm/obsoletes-by-state/missouri/st-louis-missouri-territory-bank-of-st-louis-1st-5-june-18-1817-mo-45-g24-pcgs-very-fine-35-apparent/a/3547-28355.s?type=surl-3547--28355&short=3547*28355)

Lot 28386: Unconstitutional Missouri Loan Office Note

Unconstitutional Missouri Loan Office Note

Unconstitutional Missouri Loan Office Note: The failure of the two territorial banks led the government of Missouri to attempt to fill the currency void by issuing loan office notes (which were intended to act as currency without technically being “bills of credit”).

Like the Bank of St. Louis note above, the early 1821 State of Missouri Loan Office $1 proof also features a beaver, further testifying to the significance of the fur trade.

Beautifully engraved and showing the Missouri imprint of Harrison, this proof is considered unique. Like many other notes offered here, it has been in the Newman Collection for over 75 years and has never before been cataloged for sale. This series is fascinating as the issuance of the notes by the State was ruled unconstitutional in 1830 by the United States Supreme Court.

To read the complete lot description, see:
(St. Charles), MO - Treasury or any of the Loan Offices of the State of Missouri $1 at 2% per Year (Act of June 27, 1821) 182... (https://currency.ha.com/itm/obsoletes-by-state/missouri/-st-charles-mo-treasury-or-any-of-the-loan-offices-of-the-state-of-missouri-1-at-2-per-year-act-of-june-27-1821-182/a/3547-28386.s?type=surl-3547--28386&short=3547*28386)

Lot 28390: Bank of the State of Missouri Issue

Bank of the State of Missouri Issue

Bank of the State of Missouri Issue: The stalwart Bank of the State of Missouri, chartered in 1837 as the official bank for the state, was a model of soundness even through difficult economic periods. It was rechartered by the Act of 1857, along with several other banks, and lasted until its 1866 conversion to a national bank. Eric’s 1862-dated $1 note from the Bank of the State of Missouri is signed by Robert A. Barnes as president.

Just prior to the battle of Ft. Sumter, Barnes met with Governor Jackson and banking commissioner Sterling Price to move bank funds into pro-secessionist hands. Despite this, his wealth and stature allowed him to remain head of the bank in Union-held St. Louis during the war, and his fortune generously established Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

To read the complete lot description, see:
St. Louis, MO - Bank of the State of Missouri, Bank in St. Louis $1 April 1, 1862 MO-60 G26 SENC. PCGS Fine 15. . .... (https://currency.ha.com/itm/obsoletes-by-state/missouri/st-louis-mo-bank-of-the-state-of-missouri-bank-in-st-louis-1-april-1-1862-mo-60-g26-senc-pcgs-fine-15/a/3547-28390.s?type=surl-3547--28390&short=3547*28390)

The Selections from the Eric P. Newman Part VIII sale promises to be a historic numismatic event, and items in all price ranges and interest areas from the 18th to 20th centuries are now open for bidding. Please visit HA.com/3547

An excellent selection of great obsolete notes. Be sure to browse the complete catalog online. -Editor


Wayne Homren, Editor

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