1882 US San Jose CA $50 Date Back PMG VF20 BLUE SEAL Fr.560 The First NB Tillman

1882 US San Jose CA $50 Date Back PMG VF20 BLUE SEAL Fr.560 The First NB Tillman

An extraordinary rarity from the heart of California’s banking history, this 1882 $50 Date Back National Currency Note was issued by The First National Bank of San Jose, California, bearing Charter #2158 and cataloged as Friedberg 560. Certified PMG Very Fine 20, this note stands as one of the true trophy pieces among Western National Bank issues — a seldom-seen denomination and type with only two examples known from this issuing bank.

Authenticity

Graded by PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) as Very Fine 20, this piece is confirmed genuine and encapsulated for preservation. PMG notes a minor repair, though none detracts from its strong presentation, excellent color balance, and deep inking of the printed signatures. The note’s originality and integrity are evident, a remarkable survival from the 19th century.

Historical Significance

The 1882 Date Back Series was part of the Second Charter issuance of U.S. National Currency, printed from 1882 through the early 1900s. These notes circulated during a transformative era in the American West, when California’s economy was rapidly evolving from mining and agriculture toward industrialization and banking expansion.

The First National Bank of San Jose, chartered in the 1870s, was a cornerstone institution in what would later become Silicon Valley. Its $50 Date Back issue represents the largest denomination most regional banks would ever release, typically reserved for commercial transactions and large deposits — making survival rates extremely low.

This particular note is a key rarity, as only 28 total $50 Date Backs are known from all California banks combined, and just two are recorded from San Jose’s charter. This example appears at public auction for the first time, making it a monumental opportunity for National Currency specialists.

Design and Features

The face (obverse) features the portrait of Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most celebrated Founding Fathers, with rich engraving detail characteristic of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s artistry of the era. The note includes the bright red Treasury Seal, bold charter number 2158, and the engraved signatures of the bank officers.

The back (reverse) displays the distinctive “1882–1908 Date Back” design in vivid green ink, combining decorative numerals with ornate scrollwork and the denomination prominently displayed — a hallmark of late 19th-century U.S. currency aesthetics.

Key Details:

• Denomination: $50

• Type: 1882 Date Back National Bank Note

• Bank: The First National Bank of San Jose, California

• Charter Number: 2158

• Friedberg Number: Fr. 560

• Grade: PMG Very Fine 20

• Collection Provenance: The Charlton Buckley Collection

• Noted by PMG: Minor Repair (not readily visible)

Collector’s Value

This note ranks among the most desirable California Nationals ever offered. With only two known examples from San Jose and just 28 total $50 Date Backs recorded statewide, it represents an elite rarity in the National Bank Note series. The previous known example realized $9,000 six years ago in the same grade and a Net holder, underscoring this issue’s strong collector demand.

Crossing the market for the first time, this sharply detailed, beautifully margined note from a major California city offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for collectors seeking Western Nationals, large denominations, or cornerstone rarities in U.S. banking history.