Christie's Offering PMG-certified High-denomination US Rarities from The Jim Irsay Collection

One dozen high-denomination US banknotes that are certified by PMG® are part of a Christie’s auction of the Jim Irsay Collection that is focused on a variety of historic American rarities. Viewing begins June 25 for The Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of History auction, which will be held on July 1, 2026.

One of America's most well-known collectors, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay compiled a large high-end collection during his lifetime. An avid collector of famous guitars, banknotes, historic items, and other Americana collectibles, Irsay left behind one of the most impressive and varied collections ever assembled when he passed away in May 2025. Now, certain items from his collection are being auctioned through Christie's, including historic letters and US documents, personal items of US presidents, first editions of classic books, highly sought-after US banknotes, and more.

A top highlight in the sale is a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Chicago) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 30), which has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. This coveted high-denomination note features the portrait of Founding Father James Madison, who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. The vivid green seal and serial numbers stand out on the exceptionally well-preserved note. This particular example is tied with one other note of this catalog number as the Top Pop in the PMG Population Report.

Another PMG-certified highlight in the sale is a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Dallas) graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 42), which has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. A mere 2,400 examples of these $5,000 notes were printed for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and were typically used for transactions between financial institutions. Today, only 24 examples of this particular catalog number are in the PMG Population Report, with only seven earning higher grades.

The auction includes an even higher denomination: a 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note (Chicago) graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 41), which has an estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. This iconic note features the portrait of Salmon P. Chase, who served as the 23rd governor of Ohio (1856-1860), the 25th US Secretary of the Treasury in the Abraham Lincoln administration (1861-1864), and the sixth chief justice of the United States from 1864 until his death in 1873. The $10,000 note is also the largest denomination ever printed intended to circulate publicly. The PMG Population Report contains only 27 examples of this particular catalog number, with only seven earning higher grades.

Other PMG-certified notes in the sale include:

• a 1928 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Atlanta) graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 33), which has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000
• a 1928 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Richmond) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 31), which has an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000
• a 1928 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (St. Louis) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 35), which has an estimate of $6,000 to $9,000
• a 1928 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Kansas City) graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (lot 34), which has an estimate of $6,000 to $8,000
• a 1934 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Chicago) graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ (lot 37), which has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000
• a 1934 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Boston) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 36), which has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000
• a 1934A $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Philadelphia) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 39), which has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000
• a 1934A $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (San Francisco) graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ (lot 40), which has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000
• a 1934 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note (Minneapolis) graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated (lot 38), which has an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000

All estimates are provided by the auction house.