HBF Core Collection - Detail for object 5001

HBCC-5001
1895 Silver Certificate
Denomination: $1.00
Proof of Face

HBCC-5001 1895 $1.00. Essay or proof. Silver Certificate. Friedberg-Unlisted. Uncirculated.
Signatures: Tillman-Morgan. • Serial Number: None. • Treasury Seal: None.
Face Design: Central vignette, History Instructing Youth.
Back Design: Blank.
Physical Description: Black print on India paper, mounted on card. Broad margins, though unevenly trimmed.
Engraving Notes and Comments: Die proof or essay of the nearly completed design that would be accepted for the face of the $1 Silver Certificates. Slightly different from those issued, as this piece is dated Series of 1895.
Provenance: Purchased from Mrs. Louise Entriken, December 16, 1971. Formerly in the collection of Robert F. Schermerhorn, well-known Dallas rare coin dealer and paper money specialist.
Narrative: While this design was utilized for the Series of 1896, this proof is dated 1895, apparently intended for an earlier issue date. Considering that the beginning actions to develop this issue of notes occurred in 1893, and with respect to the $1 note specifically, a study by Will Low for the central vignette is known, dated May 24, 1894, it seems quite probable that an earlier issue date was originally intended.
According to Gene Hessler's reference, U.S. Essay, Proof and Specimen Notes, the completed design for the $1 note was accepted on July 10, 1894, clearly in sufficient time for an 1895 Series date. However, the designs for the remaining two denominations were not accepted until well into 1895, probably contributing to the delayed issue date of the entire series. The early $5 proofs are also found with the engraved Series date of 1895.
Harry W. Bass, Jr. record: Inventory number 15645-a.