Fr. 56. 1880 $2 Legal Tender Note. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.

Fr. 56. 1880 $2 Legal Tender Note. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ.，Superb in every respect. When we last handled this note in 1995, it was described simply as "Gem Uncirculated, and a superb type note." More than two decades later, this still rings perfectly true. In fact, it is one of the finest Gem notes available of this variety. Only a single note has been graded finer by PMG, and by only a single grade point. The color is outstanding, with vivid ink tones and clean, fresh paper. The edges and corner points are sharp, and the centering is excellent with good margins all around. <p><p>This basic type was used for the Series of 1874 through the Series of 1917, with a few modifications along the way in the size and color of the Treasury seal, the colors used for the serial numbers and with minor back changes. In fact, the Series of 1880 notes used three different back plate styles within the basic design framework, as illustrated in the <em>Whitman Encyclopedia of U.S. Paper Money</em>, by Q. David Bowers. For many years, details like these were overlooked, but new in-depth research into the field of U.S. currency has revealed many interesting technicalities, making collecting these notes all the more engaging. Of course most collectors are still inspired by the old and enduring standard of <em>quality </em>as the driving force for selecting a particular note. This one is suitable for the finest of collections. <p>，From the A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. Earlier from Kagins MWNA Convention sale, July 1980, lot 1646; Stacks sale of March 1995, lot 881.，