Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Black Eagle Certificate

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Expert: - 4/16/2010


Question
I recently purchased a 1899 Black Eagle certificate with the date above the serial number. What is the significance of this as opposed to the date being elsewhere on the bill? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Patricia:

I appreciate the opportunity to answer your question.

This is one one that I wasn't familiar with, so I learned something in doing the research. It looks like you may have a rare note. I found a web site with a good description. I'll post it for you to do further reading on your note. See: http://www.collectiblecoinandcurrency.com/servlet/StoreFront

From this site: "A unique characteristic of the Black Eagle series is where the date is located on the note. Date locations are divided into three categories. First there is date above (the rarest, only 489 out of the 23,000) the date below and the date right. The date that I am referring to is the location of the words "Series of 1899" whether that location is above the upper right serial number or below the right upper serial number or if the date is at the right margin."

You may want to check ebay listings under US currency to see if items like yours are listed and what they are going for.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.  

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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