Rare Currency Collection Highlights Case’s Fall Auction
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— A cache of rare paper money, collected by a Tennessee attorney, judge, and legislator, will hit the auction block October 21 at Case Antiques Inc. Auctions & Appraisals. The online/absentee only auction will also feature art and antiques, including Mid-Century Modern art and furniture, sterling silver, folk art, and Asian Antiques.
The currency collection of James Addison Newman (1892-1962), which has been quietly held by his descendants until now, features currency from the Civil War period through the 1920s, most of it professionally graded and in very good to extremely fine condition.
“Currency from this period is particularly collectible for its colorful, detailed images and historical nature, and we’re excited to offer several iconic examples – including a few which we believe have never before come up at auction,” explained company president John Case.
The Judge Newman collection includes several desirable national notes, such as an 1869 US $5 “Rainbow Woodchopper” note depicting Andrew Jackson and an 1865 $2 “Lazy Deuce” bank note from Gloversville, New York with Stars and Stripes Vignette. There are also some rare Tennessee bank notes such as a 1902 Bank of Nashville-issued $100 red seal note, bearing the portrait of financier John Jay Knox, and an 1882 $10 “Brown Back” from the Bank of Memphis, depicting Benjamin Franklin discovering electricity by flying a kite with his son.
Newman earned a law degree from Cumberland University and served in World War One, where he achieved the rank of Captain. After the war, he returned to Nashville where he began a distinguished legal career, served on the Interstate Commerce Commission, and won election to the state Senate. Newman’s collection of antique stock certificates and stamps, and an archive related to his World War One service, will also be sold.
The catalog for the auction is available online here- Oct 21 2017 Catalog. For more information on how to bid or to consign for Case’s January 27 live auction, email photos and short descriptions to photos@caseantiques.com call the gallery in Knoxville at (865) 558-3033 or the company’s Nashville office at (615) 812-6096.