The 16th President of the United States has made his way onto several coins, medals, and of course, currency notes. His impact on the nation at the time and even today has shown how much he was revered as the leader of our country. This next entry in our blog series covering Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest American Currency Notes details a gold certificate that finds itself in the top 50 on the list. With help from authors Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman, we will look closer at how the note features the President and the demand for the more than rare certificate.
#49 – Series of 1882 $500 Gold Certificate
The Series of 1882 $500 Gold Certificate is rare (a little more than 100 recorded in U.S. Paper Money) when compared with their demand. The note features the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the face, which was engraved by Charles Burt from a photograph taken by Mathew A. Brady. Eagle With Flag is the motif on the back which was engraved by George D. Baldwin. Their rarity is due to their nature being redeemable on demand in gold, which it is assumed was what happened to most of the notes.
This note is one of many denominations and types of large and small size notes that feature the portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
In 1960, the historic market value for this certificate in a Very Fine condition was $800.00. By this publication (2006), it had risen to $17,000.00.
