1861 Egg Harbor Bank in Egg Harbor City NJ $5 Note

Description

From the Egg Harbor Bank, in Egg Harbor City, NJ 5 Dollar Note dates from August 1, 1861 and features vignettes of Ceres sitting in a large V and Navigation reclining, the denomination top right and two bottom corners. Two green overprint 5’s at the bottom is added as an anti-counterfeiting measure and comes through the back of the note. Serial number 1996.

History

Great Egg Harbor got its name from Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. In 1614, Mey came upon the inlet to the Great Egg Harbor River. The meadows were so covered with the eggs of waterfowl and shorebirds that he called it “Eieren Haven” (Egg Harbor). Cape May, New Jersey and Cape May County, New Jersey are both named after this man as well. Today, it is a city of just over 4,000 people and is considered one of the best places in North America for bird watching. The city is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve.

This bank had a short lifespan. It opened it’s doors in 1860 and closed late 1861. This bill at first glace is in pristine condition, but a closer look reveals four old vertical folds and one pinhole to the right of the first green 5. The top edge is cut on a bit of a curve(these were cut by hand) with thin but crisp paper and good sharp corners. A large bill at 7.25″ X 3″. It is not a rarity but we believe it would bring a good grade for a 163 old note. Printed by the American Bank Note Company.