French
DeutschBlack Eagle Silver Certificate
The Black Eagle is a type of one-dollar silver certificate produced in 1899 in the United States. The note measured 7.38 in (187 mm) by 3.18 in (81 mm); it was of the large-size variety of bank-notes issued by the United States. The note featured a black eagle with its wings spread. The note was also referred to as "Eagle of the Capitol", because the United States Capitol is visible behind the eagle. The note was issued from 1899–1923 and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) printed 3,604,239,600 black eagles. Because of the large size, the note is colloquially referred to as a "horseblanket".
Background
[edit]The 1899 series replaced the 1896 Educational Series notes. The Black Eagle replaced the one-dollar note in the 1896 series which was called "History Instructing Youth". The 1899 $US1 Black Eagle was issued from 1899 until the 1920s.[1] One reason for the redesign was to make counterfeiting more difficult.[2] The 1899 series was the last series printed in large-size.[3] The notes measured 7.38 in (187 mm) by 3.18 in (81 mm). Because of the large-size, people referred to the currency as "horseblankets".[4] The currency that replaced the Black Eagle is 6.14 in (156 mm) by 2.61 in (66 mm) inches.[5][4]
Description
[edit]The front of the note features a black eagle standing on stars and stripes.[6] The eagle is pictured with wings spread guarding the American flag. Behind the eagle is an image of the United States Capitol.[2] The note was also referred to as "Eagle of the Capitol", because the Capitol building is visible behind the eagle.[1] The notes featured a blue seal and portraits of former United States presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln.[6] The reverse was described as "plain".[6][7]
History
[edit]The one-dollar silver certificate was issued by the United States in 1899.[6] The 1899 Black Eagle notes began arriving at banks in January 1899.[6] When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) had mistakes in the printing of the 1899 Black Eagle, they printed replacement notes that had a star preceeding the serial number on the obverse. There are 13 varieties of the 1899 Black Eagle; the value of the note to modern-day currency collectors is dependent on both condition and who signed the note.[8]
Between 1899 and 1923 A total of 3,604,239,600 Black Eagles were printed and most were heavily circulated.[1] Uncirculated examples exist because many people also kept black eagles as souvenirs. The black eagle was replaced in 1923.[1] Collectors like Zollie Kelman liked to collect Black Eagle dollar bills. In total, he collected about 6,000 of the Black Eagle dollars.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Bowers, Q. David; Sundman, David M. (2006). 100 Greatest American Currency Notes: The Stories Behind the Most Fascinating Colonial, Confederate, Federal, Obsolete, and Private American Notes. Chicago Illinois: Whitman Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-7948-2006-0.
- ^ a b "New Notes in Circulation". Gettysburg Compiler. 10 January 1899. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Dauer, Joanne C.; Dauer, Edward A. (2002). American History as Seen Through Currency: A Pictorial History of United States Currency as Seen Throughout Important Historical Events. Dallas, Texas: Heritage Capital Corporation. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-9728466-0-8. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b Cruikshank, Moses (March 1, 1986). The Life I've Been Living. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-912006-23-9. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "All Kinds Of U.S Large-Size Paper Money – Large Bills Currency". Collectibles & Currency. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "A Sample of the 1899 Silver Certificate Received by the White Bank". Fort Wayne News. 9 January 1899. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Friedberg, Arthur L.; Friedberg, Ira S. (16 August 2016). A Guide Book of United States Paper Money, Fifth Edition (5th ed.). Chicago Illinois: Whitman Publishing LLC. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7948-4410-3. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Chambliss, Carlson R.; Hessler, Gene (2014). The Comprehensive Catalog of U. S. Federal Large-Size Notes, 1861 – 1929. Speckles Press. pp. 92–93.
- ^ Spicer, Enya (28 March 2019). "Father and son keep family tradition alive in Great Falls' new coin store". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
