$5 1896 Silver Certificate Educational F-VF

Banned In Boston—The Most Beautiful Note Ever Produced

Ask any American currency expert what they hold as the most beautiful designs ever, and they'll likely point to the Educational Series silver certificates printed in 1896. Ask them which of these notes is their favorite, and time and again you'll hear "Electricity Presenting Light to the World." It's a truly stunning work of art, but not everyone thought so at the time. Several Boston society ladies were said to have been furious that the notes displayed electricity as a bare-breasted woman. Claiming the notes were indecent, they led the charge to have them replaced. Thus the phrase, "banned in Boston" was born.

"Electricity Presenting Light To The World"

It's the most famous silver certificate from the Educational Series and the one considered by experts to be the most beautiful U.S. Note ever produced. In fact, in the book by Q. David Bowers, 100 Greatest American Currency Notes, these 1896 $5 Educational Silver Certificate Notes are ranked #5! Each Note features a gorgeous, highly detailed allegorical scene…called "Electricity Presenting Light to the World".…consisting of several figures illustrating the future of electricity. The winged goddess, the most prominent figure in the center of the Note, is holding a light bulb.  Other figures include Jupiter, representing force, Fame with her trumpet, representing the progress of the nation, and Peace with a Dove. The back of the Note features President Grant and General Sheridan, two key figures in the North victory in the Civil War. 

Limited Availability So Order Now!

Collectors of the three Educational Silver Certificates ($1, $2, and $5) find it very difficult to find the $5 Note. And so do we. But through our deep connections, we were able to secure two notes… and that's it! This one comes in Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition. Act fast or miss out! Secure it for your collection today!

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

• "OBSCENE" DESIGN ON U.S. CURRENCY - Along with the $1 and $2 notes, this $5 note from the Educational Series of 1896 were vastly more artistic than anyone had ever seen. Up until 1896, most paper currency issues showed portraits of famous American leaders or a vignette that had something to do with an historic event or achievement. This note features an allegorical figure of Electricity—as a bare-chested woman! Unhappy bank tellers and saleswomen objected to the "indelicate figure" on the note and combined with their susceptibility to counterfeiting, the short-lived notes were replaced in 1899.
• HIGHLY DESIERABLE COLLECTIBLE CURRENCY - The 1896 $5 Silver Certificate ranks as No. 5 on the 100 Greatest American Currency Notes as rated by experts David M. Sundman and Q. David Bowers.
• COLLECTIBLE CURRENCY MORE SCARCE THAN COINS - It's a fact; paper money is far scarcer than coins with some notes having only a few hundred specimens in existence. It's a growing hobby with coin collectors jumping on board to get the best notes available—like this 1896 $5 Silver Certificate.
• NICE FINE TO VERY FINE CONDITION - Your 1896 $5 Silver Certificate will come graded in Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition!

The 1896 $5 Silver Certificate is universally regarded as the most famous—and most beautiful—piece of U.S. currency ever produced. Now you can obtain one of these scarce notes in this stunning condition!