PMG-certified High-denomination US Banknote Sells for Over $250,000

Posted on 3/7/2023

A $5,000 US note realized six figures in a February World Banknote Auctions sale, as did a set of modern notes with Solid-9 Serial Numbers.

A $5,000 Federal Reserve Note and a set of US banknotes featuring Solid-9 Serial Numbers, all certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®), each achieved bids in the six figures in a recent sale. The World Banknote Auctions US Currency Sale 1 was held on February 24, 2023.

At center stage in the auction was a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Dallas) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (lot 1164) that realized $270,250. These high-denomination notes were typically used for transactions between financial institutions. According to the auction house, only 28 examples of these 1934 $5,000 notes from Dallas are known to exist. The PMG Population Report lists 19 examples of this note, with only five graded higher.

Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, the fancy serial number set realized $149,000. It comprises 12 PMG-graded 1999 $10 Federal Reserve Notes with Solid-9 Serial Numbers (lot 1146), which includes one note from each Federal Reserve District bank. Because of a policy adopted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing after the 1974 Series that halted all print runs at 96 million, Solid-9 Serial Numbers on $10 notes from the last few decades are extremely rare.

Click images to enlarge.

The PMG-certified 1999 $10 Federal Reserve Notes included in this lot were:

  • a Boston district note with serial number BA99999999Y graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a New York district note with serial number BB99999999Y graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Philadelphia district note with serial number BC99999999Y graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Cleveland district note with serial number BD99999999Y graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Richmond district note with serial number BE99999999Y graded PMG 65★ Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • an Atlanta district note with serial number BF99999999Y graded PMG 65★ Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Chicago district note with serial number BG99999999Y graded PMG 65★ Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a St. Louis district note with serial number BH99999999Y graded PMG 66★ Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Minneapolis district note with serial number BI99999999Y graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Kansas City district note with serial number BJ99999999Y graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ
  • a Dallas district note with serial number BK99999999Y graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
  • a San Francisco district note with serial number BL99999999Y graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.


Stay Informed

Want news like this delivered to your inbox once a month? Subscribe to the free PMG eNewsletter today!

Thanks!

You've been subscribed to the PMG eNewsletter.

Unable to subscribe to our eNewsletter. Please try again later.

Articles List