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Catalog Data

Issuing bank:
Appleton National Bank of Lowell  Search this
Maker:
National Bank Note Company  Search this
Bureau of Engraving and Printing  Search this
Physical Description:
paper (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 7.5 cm x 18.3 cm x .01 cm; 2 15/16 in x 7 7/32 in x in
Object Name:
note
Place made:
United States
Place issued:
United States: Massachusetts, Lowell
Associated Place:
United States
Date made:
1865
1865
Description (Brief):
One (1) 500 dollar note
United States, 1865
Obverse Image: At left, a female figure representing the Spirit of the Navy sitting by an anchor with a ship in the background. At right, the arrival of the steamship Sirius in New York harbor.
Obverse Text: NATIONAL CURRENCY. / THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / LOWELL, MAY 10TH 1865 / THE APPLETON NATIONAL BANK OF LOWELL WILL PAY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO BEARER ON DEMAND / MASSACHUSETTS / NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK / 986 / A 206 / M16428 / ARRIVAL OF THE SIRIUS, 1838
Reverse Image: The surrender of General Burgoyne.
Reverse Text: 500 / SURRENDER OF GENL. BURGOYNE. / ENGD. BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. N.Y. / D / NATIONAL CURRENCY / THIS NOTE IS RECIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AS EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT. / COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR OR BOTH. / MASSACHUSETTS
Description:
In 1863 the U.S. issued its first national notes and decided to feature historically themed paintings from the Capitol Rotunda on the reverse. The paintings were shrunk from their original size of twelve by eight feet to a mere four-and-a-half by two-and-a-half inches, but maintained the detail and quality of the paintings. This decision converted national treasures into national currency.
John Trumbull painted four of the eight paintings in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. His paintings <i>Surrender of General Burgoyne</i> and <i>Declaration of Independence</i> are featured on the reverse of the first 100 dollar and 500 dollar national notes.
Location:
Currently not on view
Web subject:
Steamships  Search this
Related Publication:
Feingold, Ellen R.. Value of Money, The
Credit Line:
U.S. Department of the Treasury
ID Number:
NU.78.5.354
Catalog number:
78.5.354
Accession number:
1978.0941
Serial number:
M16428
See more items in:
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
National Bank Notes
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746af-9a73-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1671478