Description:
This remarkable 1902 $20 Plain Back National Bank Note hails from Albion, Nebraska, issued by The First National Bank under Charter #3960. Graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ, it stands among the finest known survivors from a limited run of high-grade notes tied to this Boone County institution. Listed as Friedberg #652, this note is a superb example of early 20th-century U.S. currency at its best.
The 1902 Plain Back series features a classic banknote design: on the face, a commanding portrait of President Hugh McCulloch—who served as Secretary of the Treasury during three presidential administrations—anchors the layout. The bank title and charter information are printed in bold type, while the reverse displays an allegorical scene of Columbia flanked by Progress and Commerce, rendered in deep green ink.
What sets this piece apart is not just its grade, but its physical presentation. The note displays huge margins, crisp original embossing, and legible stamped signatures, all hallmarks of a truly premium survivor. The PMG Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) designation confirms its untouched originality—a key factor in collector desirability.
Notes from Albion’s First National Bank are quite scarce in high-grade condition, and this example falls right in the sweet spot of a small cache of Uncirculated notes. Its preservation reflects careful storage over the last century, offering collectors a pristine piece of Nebraska’s financial history during the National Currency Era.
Collector's Value:
For those building a Nebraska type set or pursuing Gem-grade examples of 1902 Plain Backs, this note delivers elite quality and historical charm. The combination of grade, wide margins, and excellent regional origin makes it a standout addition to any advanced U.S. currency collection.
