Legal Tender $100 tops Knight auction

A “Spread Eagle” $100 Legal Tender Note, Fr. 167a, swept passed all other lots to take top honors in Lyn Knight Currency Auctions’ Memphis International Paper Money Show Auction, June 18-20. The rarity, once part of the William Anton Sr. collection, went for $260,000.

Prices do not include the 17.5 to 20 percent buyer’s premium.

Graded PCGS Choice New 63, the rare $100 is one of the finest known. The total census for all of the “Spread Eagle” $100s is 50—22 of those being of the Fr. 167a variety, with two of those graded Choice New 63 and one in 65EPQ.

Bringing $70,000, as part of the Dave Rickey Collection of U.S. Large Size Star Notes, was a 1923 $10 star “Poker Chip” United States Note, one of three known. In PCGS Fine 15, the note carries the highest serial number recorded, *3330D.

Leading the way among world notes, at $65,000, was an exceedingly rare Government of Pakistan R1 100 rupees ND (1950) in Choice Fine/Very Fine. Overprinted “FOR/PILGRIMS FROM PAKISTAN/FOR USE IN/SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAQ,” with the signature of Ghulam Mohammad, it was described as most likely equaling or surpassing “the rarity of the legendary Palestine issued 100 Pounds.”

Selling for $50,000 was a Bank of Canada $500, 54/BC-17, cataloged as: “PMG terms this ‘VG 10 splits, discoloration’; one of only seven pieces listed on the population report (none in high grade) and most likely the first we have ever offered.”

Other top lots included:

• 1908 $10 Silver Certificate, serial No. *9682B, Fr. 303*, Rickey Collection, PMG VG 10 Net, $55,000;

• 1863 $50 Legal Tender Note, Fr. 150, Cleveland Collection, PCGS VF 25 Apparent, $45,000;

• 1928C* $10 Federal Reserve Note, Fr. 2003-D*, PCGS Gem New 65 PPQ, $42,500.

For full prices realized and listings of upcoming sales, visit www.lynknight.com.

• The Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money is the only annual guide that provides complete coverage of U.S. currency with today’s market prices.