Boston, MA - Continental Bank $3 Oct. 18__ MA-160 G6a. Remainder. PCGS About New 53PPQ. The Continental Bank of Boston Obsolete notes are a beautifully engraved series by the American Bank Note Company. The $3 denomination has always been the most popular due to its dynamically rendered central vignette. These notes are treasured, and most examples known are closely held by long-time collectors. Like the $1 and $2 notes printed on the $1-$1-$2-$3 sheets, this is framed all around with green denomination micro-lettering. Across the bottom center is a wide guilloche comprised of THREE DOLLARS in micro-lettering. At top center is The White Bear, engraved by De Witt Clinton Hay and adapted from the art of Felix O.C. Darley. Four fur-clad men in a small boat attempt to fend off an aggressive polar bear rising out of the water, his large paw already on the gunwale; their ship is in the far distance. At lower left is the Massachusetts Commonwealth seal, and at lower right is a portrait of General Warren. Hay's TheWhite Bear vignette, though not specifically historic, is relevant to the period of issue. It was engraved at the time of Henry Grinnell's expeditions in search of ill-fated John Franklin and his ships lost decades before in the Canadian Arctic wilderness. The vignette appears on only a handful of Obsolete notes (and one Canadian). The Newman Collection Bank of Germantown $1 \"Polar Bear\" issued note (PCGS Very Fine 25) realized $4,465 in Newman Part VI. We have cataloged and sold several examples over the years, but these are tremendously popular. The moderate handling is observed from the plain back. From the face, wide margined, vibrant, and with the appearance of a Gem example. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society \n\n
From Newman VIII (Heritage Auctions, 11/2017), lot 28216, realized $2640. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.
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