Fr. 785 (W-913-D). 1918 $5 Federal Reserve Bank Note. Cleveland. PCGS Superb Gem New 68 PPQ.

Fr. 785 (W-913-D). 1918 $5 Federal Reserve Bank Note. Cleveland. PCGS Superb Gem New 68 PPQ.，Rarely do large size type notes reach grades above the 67 range, however those that do are a real treat for collectors to admire. PCGS has graded just two examples of this catalog number at the 68 PPQ level with none finer, while PMG has graded no example above the 67 EPQ level. Dark inks and virtually perfect centering are seen on this low serial number D146A note. Collectors who seek only the finest available notes should take notice of this offering.<p><p><em></em><p><strong>$5 Federal Reserve Bank Notes, Series of 1918</strong><p>Series of 1918 notes have "SERIES OF 1918," the date "MAY 18, 1914," and in two curved lines vertically at the right border, "AUTHORIZED BY THE ACTS OF / DECEMBER 23, 1913, AND APRIL 23, 1918." An exception is a San Francisco variety dated May 20, 1914. At the top center of the Series of 1918 notes is the security provision: "SECURED BY UNITED STATES BONDS OR UNITED STATES CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS / OR UNITED STATES ONE-YEAR GOLD NOTES, DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF / THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." The back shows two scenes of explorers aboard ships off the coast, Columbus to the left and the Pilgrims to the right, both in wonderful detail.<p>The print run of F-785 (W-913-D) is estimated as 1,376,000 with 275 to 350 estimated to exist today. These were not in the mainstream of numismatic interest until the 1940s and 1950s, by which time the opportunity to acquire high grade notes, as here, was infrequent. However, the famous Albert Grinnell sales of the 1940s, conducted by Barney Bluestone, provided a vast trove of wonderfully preserved currency for collectors to enjoy for the decades that have passed since.，From the Joel R. Anderson Collection of United States Paper Money, Part I. Earlier from Lyn Knights sale of June 2009, lot 265.，