Commemorative .999 Four Troy Ounce 1890 00 Treasury "Grand Watermelon" Note

Description

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Description
Commemorative .999 Four Troy Ounce Silver Replica Plate of the 1890 00 Treasury "Grand Watermelon" Note.
To commemorate our incredible offering of the finest known "Grand Watermelon", Stack's Bowers Galleries has commissioned the design and manufacture of a limited edition .999 four troy ounce silver replica of this iconic note. Only 500 stunning silver Proof commemorative notes, measuring 2.5" by 6.0", have been created featuring artwork based on the Boyd/Carter/Anderson specimen, and capturing every intricate detail of the historic 1890 00 Grand Watermelon Treasury Note.
Stacks Bowers is also honored to be offering the Finest Known "Grand Watermelon" 1890 00 Treasury Note for sale to the public, please contact us for more details on how to purchase the Fr. 379a 1890 00 Treasury Note in PCGS Currency About New 50! This is the "Holy Grail" of American Currency!
Information on the actual note the plate was designed from:
No single note has captivated United States currency collectors as much as the 1890 00 Treasury Note. They are famously known as Grand Watermelon notes, a nickname that refers to the distinctive large green zeros on the back of the note that resemble the fruit. The type is known in two varieties: Fr.379a (W-4580) with a large brown Treasury Seal and signatures of Rosecrans and Huston, and Fr.379b (W-4581) with a small red scalloped Treasury Seal and signatures of Rosecrans and Nebeker. The face portrays Union Major General George Meade at left. Meade is best known as the victorious commander of Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg. Near the center is an ornate 1000 die counter with floral ornaments.
The Grand Watermelon Notes were voted No. 1 in 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman. The present note is the plate example for the type and is also featured on the cover of the book. Here are excerpts from what Bowers and Sundman said about this issue
"Rolling into first place in the 100 Greatest survey is the ,000 "Grand Watermelon Note," more formally known as the 1890 Coin Note or Treasury Note. For a long time this has been the Holy Grail for collectors of federal currency. Before the survey results were compared, those behind the scenes working on the book speculated that the Grand Watermelon Note would make first place, and we were right! Quite a few guesses as to other positions were off the mark.
"The nickname of this note is derived from the large, green zeroes on the back, which look like delicious watermelons. Today, Grand Watermelon Note is a term of affection, but it was not viewed this way by the Treasury Department in 1890, and steps were taken to change the design. Similarly, these wonderfully ornate notes were not admired by the public in their time. An article published in the Boston Evening Transcript in 1891 noted that a new series of designs was on its way, and that:
"'There will be no mourning for the old backs. At the Treasury they have never been regarded with very tumultuous approval. Officials at that institution commonly refer to the denominations representing ,000, 0 and 0 as "water melons," because of the striking resemblance which the huge 0's bear to the juicy vegetable in question.
"'They believe that the genius of Chief Engraver Casilear can produce very superior substitutes. Certainly a note that is not engraved all over is handsomer, and the best experts are of the opinion that a few scattered designs, very elaborate and executed in the highest style of art, are most difficult to counterfeit successfully.'"
Payment
Please note that all purchases are subject to local sales tax.  We accept paypal and ebay payments.
Shipping
Due to our insurance regulations we do not ship on Friday or over the weekend.
Terms of Sale
We accept free 30 day returns.
About Us
Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been conducting live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S., World, and Ancient Coins and Currency since 1933. The company's 80-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block. Stack's Bowers Galleries is an Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic conventions, including American Numismatic Association events, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, and its April and August Hong Kong Auctions.
Contact Us
Have coins to sell?  Please contact Mark for special auction rates for our eBay clients, or let us make you a generous offer to purchase your rare coins!
Have currency to sell? Please Contact Peter  for special auction rates for our eBay clients, or let us make you a generous offer to purchase your rare currency!
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