The yearly average count of 13 new-to-the-census territorial nationals since such counts began in 1989 isn’t close to being realized in 2022. Only five such territorials have been reported so far.
Those counts dropped to 4 per year during the COVID pandemic. Is the fall off of coin shows due to COVID to blame or is the supply of territorials out in the weeds falling off?
The interesting thing about this year’s crop so far is that it consists of a significant mix; specifically, two serial number 1s and no Honolulu’s. Honolulu’s usually dominate additions. Here is what we have so far.
Probably the one representing the most fun is the $5 1875 from The Colorado National Bank of Denver. After The First National Bank of Honolulu (5550), this bank and The Deseret National Bank of Salt Lake City (2059) are tied for the second most reported territorials at 34 each. The thing that made this note so much fun was that it was offered on eBay with buy-it-now price of $429.99 with free shipping along with this quote: “Was stored flat out of light for nearly 100 years by a late relative who was in banking all his life.”
The note most people would place at the top of this list obviously is the Original Series $2 from the Deseret National Bank of Salt Lake City. This spectacular note is the third territorial reported from the number 1 sheet, the other two being $1s from the B and C plate positions. I grant you, that it truly is hard to beat a number 1 deuce. It carries the ever-popular Brigham Young signature, the then leader of the Morman church. I highly suspect that this jewel, although new