Lovely Gem Uncirculated Fr. 374 1890 "Ornate Back" $20 Treasury Note
An Aesthetic Marvel of a Bygone Epoch
Fr. 374. 1890 $20 Treasury Note. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ.
The final entry in this short-lived, albeit aesthetically intricate series unduly derided by the Treasury Department as susceptible to counterfeiting on account of the crowded nature of the back design. Although the Treasury Department did not appreciate the visual spectacle in their own time, collectors today feverishly marvel at the level of detail endemic to a bygone epoch; as all denominations of this popular series often face a competitive bidding process when a premium example like this one crosses the auction block. Featuring the engraved portrait of Chief Justice John Marshall (1755 - 1835) executed and engraved by German immigrant Charles Schlecht, the Chief Justice assumes a prominent and stately position befitting his contributions to Constitutional law during the formative years of the Early Republic. To the right of Marshall's noble depiction, an ovoid denomination counter and various clauses populate the centermost portions of the note's length. The red scalloped Treasury Seal is sharply detailed and boldly inked and marks an ample albeit appealing contrast against the bright paper in conjunction with engraved details that pack in almost every conceivable detail while the engraved signatures of Register William S. Rosecrans and Treasurer Enos H. Nebeker sit just above the ornate bottom margin. A cacophony of green inks makes up the totality of the exceptionally detailed back design. Composed from a variety of geometric forms and floral underlays, the back design lives up to the lofty style of its counterparts. At center, "TWENTY" in large block letters adorned with geometric roundels arches upward in a curved position reminiscent of a cantilever-type bridge. Below a bed of geometric lathework consistent with the earliest Legal Tender Notes issued during the 1860s provides ample contrast against "TWENTY" and the surrounding floral frame that spells out "TWENTY" and "DOLLARS" along the top and bottom margins. The imprint of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing likewise appears along the bottom margin in an abutment of the primary design. Separate denomination counters can be found at opposite ends. At left, a large counter assumes a prominent position upon a two-layered geometric adornment. Further subsidiary counters can be found in each corner laid upon floral embellishments. At right, the redemption clause can be seen at the center of a geometric adornment that bears a passing resemblance to a plant while additional counters can be seen above and below in distinct numerical styles with the shield-like counter at the bottom containing the backplate number. Without a doubt an exceptional example and among the finest that we have offered for this Friedberg, this note represents a scarce opportunity to acquire an example of a rare and coveted type at the upper ranges of the grading spectrum befitting only the most specialized and resourceful of collectors. PMG Pop 5/3 Finer.

Estimate: $40000.00- $60000.00