Fr. 215. 1886 $1 Silver Certificate. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ.

Fr. 215. 1886 $1 Silver Certificate. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ.，Offered is an absolutely beautiful example of this attractive type featuring Martha Washingtons portrait on the face, and the complex "fancy back" reverse design that would only be used on this series. The paper is bright and fresh, accentuating the nice ink colors on both sides. Great embossing is noted on the PMG holder, along with the EPQ designation. The centering is just a hair from perfect, with broad margins all around and nice sharp corner points. <p><p>The famous "Martha Washington note," was the first $1 Silver Certificate issued. These were produced in two series, 1886 and 1891, before being replaced by the "Educational" series of 1896. Though one might think that the ornate back would better deter counterfeiters as a more complex design to replicate, the opposite was believed true at the time, prompting the major revision of the back designs for the silver certificates of 1891. The engraving of Martha Washington was by Charles Burt, after Charles Jalabert, but she was not identified on the 1886 notes. She is the only First Lady to appear on federal bank notes and hers is the only identified female portrait ever used (she also appeared on the back of the 1896 $1 Silver Certificates). Other females on notes are plenty in number, but in all other cases they appear in allegorical vignettes<p><p>According to the PMG grading data, this note is among the top 10% of all the examples they have seen. Though a few have been graded finer, none has been ranked more than a single grade point above this one and it would be difficult indeed to find a piece with better eye appeal than seen here.，From the A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. Earlier from Currency Auctions of America, May 2000, lot 1304; Heritage, May 2001, lot 7109; Trusted Traditions via Stacks Bowers, March 2013.，