This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Large sized $5 Silver Certificates were issued for five Series, with this Tillman-Morgan note being issued in the third (1896) Series. Referred to as the United States' most beautiful piece of paper money, and part of the "Educational Series," the face design shows an allegorical figure representing "Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World". The portraits on the back are Civil War Generals Ulysses S. Grant on the left and Philip Sheridan on the right. The lavish vignette was originally drawn by Walter Shirlaw and hangs on the wall in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Thomas Morris redesigned the bill itself, and G.F.C. Smilie engraved the figures. The female figure representing "Electricity" is clad in flowing robes, revealing a bare breast. This partial nudity was said to cause a disturbance nationwide, with Anthony Comstock, Secretary of the Society for Suppression of Vice, pressuring the U.S. Treasury to withdraw these "obscene notes." Three years later, entirely new designs were issued to replace the controversial Educational series. This once "banned in Boston" note has since become the most popular of all U.S. Large Size banknotes. This extremely rare note is overprinted with a small red seal on the lower right and blue serial numbers. Grades Almost Uncirculated.