Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Spring 2026 Showcase U.S. Currency Sale Realizes Nearly $3.6 Million, with Numerous Records Broken

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that the Spring 2026 Showcase U.S. Currency Sale realized nearly $3.6 million, highlighted by spirited bidding, strong participation, and numerous record-setting prices across a wide range of categories.

The sale was led by several featured collections, notably the Caine Collection of Obsolete Bank Notes, which produced impressive results, with many lots exceeding expectations and establishing new benchmarks. Among the standout offerings was lot 5185, a Kirtland, Ohio, Kirtland Safety Society Bank 1837 $10 graded PMG Choice Uncirculated 63 EPQ, which realized $15,600 after spirited bidding, smashing previous records for the denomination and grade.

Additional highlights from the Caine Collection included lot 5120, a Bank of Austin, Minnesota $2 Proof, which realized $11,700, and lot 5134, a Bank of Northfield, Minnesota $3 graded PCGS Choice New 63, which brought $10,200. Both lots set new auction records and underscored the strength of the market for rare Obsolete notes.

The sale’s Rarities Night session was led by the remarkable Manhattan Beach Collection of United States Small Size Type, an extraordinary offering that shattered numerous records. Leading the group was lot 7058, a Fr. 2407 1928 $500 Gold Certificate graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, which realized $204,000 after extensive bidder competition.

One of the most notable results of the evening came from lot 7028, a 1934 $100 Light Green Seal Serial Number 1 Federal Reserve Note graded PMG Gem Uncirculated, which sold for $180,000 against a presale estimate of $75,000 to $125,000. That result far surpassed the previous record of $88,000, which had been set in 2013.

Another standout was lot 7046, a 1934 $5 Hawaii Emergency Issue Star Note, graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ and designated as a replacement note, which realized $84,000. This result broke the previous record for the type, surpassing the PMG 66 EPQ example sold by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2023 for $53,000.

Although the sale was not heavily represented by Large Size Type, important records were still achieved in that area. Leading the way was lot 7086, a Fr. 289, 1880 $10 Silver Certificate, graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, which realized $55,200, eclipsing the prior auction record for a PMG Gem 65 example by more than $10,000. Also noteworthy was lot 7104, Fr. 1187, 1922 $20 Gold Certificate, graded PCGS Banknote Superb Gem Uncirculated 68 PPQ, which brought an impressive $38,400 against a presale estimate of $25,000 to $35,000.

“The strength of the auction proves that the finest and rarest material remains in high demand, especially for notes that trade only once in a decade or more,” said Peter Treglia, Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Vice President & Managing Director of Currency Sales. “We are very pleased with the results of this sale and look forward to building on this momentum in the future.”

Overall, the Spring 2026 Showcase U.S. Currency Sale was a remarkable success, reaffirming the continued demand for elite U.S. paper money and Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ leadership in presenting fresh, high-quality material to the marketplace.

For more information about upcoming auctions or to discuss consigning to a future sale, contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Currency Department or email Consign@StacksBowers.com.