Finest Known "Grand Watermelon" 1890 $1000 Treasury Note

The "Holy Grail" of American Currency

Friedberg 379a (W-4580). 1890 $1000 Treasury Note. PCGS Currency About New 50.

While rare and outstanding notes abound in the Joel R. Anderson Collection, perhaps no single note has captivated United States currency collectors as much as this 1890 $1000 Treasury Note. Popularly known as the Grand Watermelon, these notes gained their famous nickname due to the distinctive large green zeros on the back of the note which resemble the fruit. The type is known in two varieties, Fr.379a (W-4580) with a large brown Treasury Seal and signatures of Rosecrans and Huston, and Fr.379b (W-4581) with a small red scalloped Treasury Seal and signatures of Rosecrans and Nebeker. The face design portrays Union Major General George Meade at left. Meade is best known as the victorious commander of Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg. Near center is an ornate 1000 die counter with floral ornaments. The type ranks No. 1 in 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman. The present note is the plate example for the type and graces the cover of the book.

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