20055: Fr. 346e $1,000 1891 Silver Certificate Face Pro

Fr. 346e $1,000 1891 Silver Certificate Face Proof as Hessler 1411 PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 EPQ. This is a beautiful face Proof that was printed on India paper. The portrait at left is of Liberty, who bears a striking resemblance to actress Josie Mansfield, the paramour of robber baron and patron of the arts, "Jubilee Jim" Fisk or if you like, the "Barnum of Wall Street", who was murdered by another one of Ms. Mansfield's suitors, Ned Stokes, in 1872. The portrait at right is of William L. Marcy, life-long politician, with stops as governor of New York, 1833-1839; United States Secretary of War, 1845-1849; and United States Secretary of State, 1853-1857. He died on July 4, 1857. The actual Proof impression is flawless, with PMG mentioning that the impression is unaffected by a few light corner folds and other collector handling from admiring viewers in the broad margins. Also, the back upper right-hand corner displays a tiny lightly pencilled "(9)." There are only two issued notes of this design known; one note is in the Smithsonian, and the other note is in private hands, being ex-Amon Carter / Joel Anderson. That issued example sold for $1,920,000 in 2019. Tonight is an exciting opportunity to collect this Friedberg number. This example last crossed the auction block at our 2005 CSNS Currency Signature auction, realizing $43,125, a number which we expect to easily surpass tonight. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved