More Schwenk Family Collection Rarities Expected to Realize Six Figures

Posted on 9/21/2026

GreatCollections is offering examples of some of the greatest notes in US numismatics.

A collection showcasing some of the greatest rarities in US paper money continues to be offered to the numismatic community through GreatCollections in a series of individual lots. Already, two notes from the Schwenk Family Collection of 100 Greatest American Currency Notes have realized more than $100,000 each, with several additional selections also likely to cross that threshold in the coming weeks.

Bidding had already exceeded $90,000 for a 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Kansas City) graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine almost a month before the lot ends on October 18, 2026. This is the sole example of this exact catalog number in the PMG Population Report, and one of only 22 of the $5,000 denomination from the 1928 Series found there. High-denomination notes like these were generally used for transactions between financial institutions.

Click images to enlarge.

Another top highlight in the upcoming lots is a 1890 $100 Treasury Note graded PMG 20 Very Fine, a lot for which bidding ends on October 4. Along with its accompanying $1,000 denomination, these notes are known as "Watermelon Notes" for the way the zeroes were dramatically rendered on the back of the note.

Click images to enlarge.

Other upcoming PMG-certified lots from the Schwenk Family Collection include:

Already, one of the notes from the collection has realized more than a quarter million dollars in the offerings for which bidding has already concluded. The 1882 $1,000 Gold Certificate graded PMG 30 Very Fine realized $262,687 on September 6. Only about a dozen examples of this very rare catalog number are known to be available to the collecting community.

Click images to enlarge.

Other PMG-certified highlights that have already been sold include:

  • an 1880 $1,000 Legal Tender graded PMG 30 Very Fine NET, which realized $160,312 on Aug. 30
  • an 1863 $100 Legal Tender graded PMG 30 Very Fine, which realized $83,812 on Sept. 13
  • a 1890 $2 Treasury Note graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, which realized $52,877 on Sept. 20
  • a 1918 $500 Federal Reserve Note (New York) graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine, which realized $49,500 on Sept. 6
  • a Confederate States of America 1861 $500 graded PMG 30 Very Fine, which realized $47,250 on Sept. 13
  • a Danville, Illinois 1875 $50 National Bank Note graded PMG 30 Very Fine and pedigreed to the Mike Coltrane Collection, which realized $43,624 on Sept. 13
  • a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania $100 Original National Bank Note graded PMG 25 Very Fine, which realized $36,562 on Sept. 6
  • a 1905 $20 Gold Certificate graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated EPQ, which realized $34,999 on Sept. 20

Price realized include buyer's premium.


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