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Villisca, Iowa $10 Series 1902 Ch 2766 & $5 Series 1875 Ch 2766 -- Info Request

DRUNNERDRUNNER Posts: 3,857 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. & World Currency Forum

Enthusiasts . . .

I am a regular member of the US Coin Forum and classic US coin collector. Been active on the Boards since about 2003 (?) but have never been to this site. Basic research on the two notes above kept leading me to sites requesting donations, and I almost 'bit', but then it dawned on me . . . "Wonder if CU Forums deals with any banknote stuff?" Ummmm . . . yup! I don't particularly mind coughing up a C-note for info, but thought I may get a few insights here (on the US Coin Forum we certainly deal with these types of questions all the time) without coughing up the cash for info on just two notes in my lifetime.

Specifically, I have two NBNs in an old custom frame (can't see the back unless I break into the frame--made in the early 60s by "Langdale's Novelties, in Ottumwa, IA) that have been in my family since my grandfather was a cashier and later bank president of the National Bank of Villisca (IA). They are lightly circulated, ungraded, but appear undamaged (no rust / pinholes / splits). I would classify (as a layman -- but solid grader of coinage) the $10 as AU and the $5 as VF. SNs are H177908E on the $10 and Y557138 on the $5. Signatures are Shaw/Fast on the $10 and Fast/Alger on the $5 (unique family history that Byron Fast was a cashier on one note, and President on the other). The $10 is of course a blue seal, and the $5 is red. Another number on the $10 (not charter or serial) is '5336' in the lower left, and on the $5, '3335'.

Several decades ago I did initial research via currency dealers, and found they were interesting examples that had relatively few pieces known (my brother has another $5 on his side of the family, but I know nothing else about it), and at least one of them had shown up as previously recorded in some census, somewhere (not sure how--they have been out of sight since 1967).

Any insights, information, or analysis would be sincerely appreciated. Most of my queries have been met with questions on immediate sale. In time, I most likely will part with them, as I have no heirs (yes, they are fantastic family history, but when I am gone no one will care at all) but for now, it would be super to get basic info on census numbers, and sure, approximate values are interesting too.

Pics are just a bit 'iffy'. I could relearn the posting technique, but the main jist of the notes is contained above anyway. Sure, I know condition is everything, but I am looking for fun info that may be out there . . . and in time, I'll do the grading thing (I have been a member of PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and now CAC forever). I regret that I didn't just tap into this Forum years ago during one of my researching attempts!

Well . . .enough of a 'read' for you! I appreciate the time and expertise here, as I do on the US Coin Board. I can see this Board gets a bit less traffic, so I can only hope somebody from the Iowa realm will notice this in time.

Happy Holidays!

Drunner

Comments

  • TxCollectorTxCollector Posts: 431 ✭✭✭✭

    According to the NBNC there are 34 recorded notes from this bank with 25 of them being large notes. There are 5 listed 1875 $5’s and 12 listed $10 plain back notes.

    The most recent sale of an 1875 $5 that I came across was back in 2021.

    http://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-S355T/villisca-iowa-5-1875-fr-405-the-first-nb-charter-2766-pmg-very-fine-25

    As for the $10 PB, that’s a bit trickier since it’s been almost 14 years since one sold on at one of the big auction houses and it was a VF apparent grade:

    Villisca, IA - $10 1902 Plain Back Fr. 624 The First NB Ch. # 2766. ... https://currency.ha.com/itm/national-bank-notes/iowa/villisca-ia-10-1902-plain-back-fr-624-the-first-nb-ch-2766/a/3512-21306.s

    There is an Iowa expert that frequently posts on the Papermoneyforum website that could probably tell you a lot more than what I’ve provided but hopefully this helps. I know that there is also a website that has a bunch of detail around each of the charters including the amount of notes that were issued, remained outstanding etc but I don’t have that web address book marked on my phone.

    Happy holidays!

  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Track and Price shows similar information, off by one note, here and there. I'm showing six different serial numbers for the 1875 $5. The bank issued no 10s and 20s in 1875 but it did issue $50s and $100s then.

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • DRUNNERDRUNNER Posts: 3,857 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks a million for your help! Great info here and a good start. I will try the Papermoneyforum as well . . . and I certainly appreciate your time and expertise!

    Drunner

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