Another two additions for my Arkansas NBN collection.
The First National Bank of Fort Smith, AR was chartered in March 1872 as The National Bank of Western Arkansas at Fort Smith. The name was changed in Dec 1887 and is still in existence today. This is one of 6 charters in Fort Smith which issued national bank notes.
Under the first name, Original and 1875 series notes were issued. Under the FNB of Fort Smith name, series 1875, 1882BB/DB, and 1902DB/PB notes were issued, as well as 1929 Ty.1 and Ty.2 notes. While 1929 Ty.1 $20 notes are very common, with over sixty in the T&P census and at least a dozen of those uncirculated, this note is currently tied with one other as the highest listed numeric grade.
Signatures of cashier S.B. Stevinson and president A.N. Sicard.
The National Bank of Eastern Arkansas of Forrest City, AR, was chartered in Oct 1932 and is still in existence as the main branch of First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas. The bank issued 1929 Ty.1 and Ty.2 notes in denominations of $5, $10 and $20.
While Ty.1 notes are very common, with 99 total in the T&P census, this example is one of only three Ty.2 notes listed, all of which are $5 notes.
Signatures of cashier A.C. Bridewell and president William Wilson Campbell.
One historical note - Forrest City was named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate Army general and the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Soon after the end of the Civil War, Forrest had a construction crew working on a railroad between Memphis and Little Rock that was camped there, with train service through the area established in 1868. The city was incorporated in 1870.
The England National Bank of Little Rock, AR, was chartered on February 19, 1908 and entered receivership on November 1, 1926. The bank issued 1902RS, 1902DB and 1902PB notes in $10 and $20 denominations. While there are only 5 DB notes and a single RS note in the census, the PB notes are far more available. I was fairly pleased with this $20 1902PB. It is one of 14 in the census, with 11 of those listed in lower grades than this one.
While the signatures are almost completely faded, I can see enough to make me fairly sure that they are cashier J. E. England, Jr. and president Joseph Edley England (Sr.).
The First National Bank of Newport, AR, was chartered on May 1, 1903. It became a state-chartered bank in 1978, and in 1996 merged and became a part of Union Planters Bank (and later, Regions Bank). The bank issued 1902 RS/DB/PB and 1929 Ty1/Ty2 notes. This example is one of 12 1902PB $10 notes in the census.
The signatures are quite faded but I find it a reasonable example overall, as the majority of these in the census are listed in grades of VG-VF.
Thank you, jbuck! I'm trying to add more large size notes to my Arkansas NBN collection; of course, some of that will come naturally as many banks in the state issued only large size notes.
Quote: I'm trying to add more large size notes to my Arkansas NBN collection; of course, some of that will come naturally as many banks in the state issued only large size notes.
Tonight I was happy to add to my collection these two Arkansas NBN's which I acquired from a fellow coin club member.
The State National Bank of Texarkana, AR, was chartered on Feb. 13, 1904. The name was changed to State First National Bank in 1995, and then merged and became part of Regions Bank in 1998. It issued 1902 RS, DB and PB notes as well as 1929 Ty1 and Ty2 small size note, all in denominations of $10 and $20. While the 1929 Ty1 notes are plentiful, the same can't be said of the Ty2 notes. This note is new to the T&P census, with only one other $10 Ty2 note listed. Signatures of cashier William Barr Oglesby and president Joseph Stuart Wilson.
The First National Bank of Batesville, AR, was chartered on January 13, 1905 and liquidated on May 31, 1930 and absorbed by North Arkansas Bank in Batesville. It issued 1902 RS, DB and PB notes as well as 1929 Ty1 small size notes, all in denominations of $5 through $20. There are 15 $5 1902 PB notes in the T&P census, but this is one of only 3 listed with a grade of 20 or higher. The signatures are very faint but recognizable as those of cashier John Q. Wolf and president R.C. Dorr.
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