1865 $1 National Bank Note Kansas City MO Charter#1995 PR

The 1865 $1 National Bank Note from Kansas City, Missouri, Charter #1995, is an extraordinary artifact from the dawn of the National Banking Era in the United States. Issued under the National Currency Act of 1863 and the revised National Banking Act of 1864, these notes were produced by federally chartered banks and backed by United States government bonds. The specific note from the First National Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, bearing Charter Number 1995, represents one of the earliest and most historically important issues connected to the economic expansion of the American Midwest following the Civil War. The year 1865 marks not only the end of that devastating conflict but also the beginning of a new era in American banking stability, as the national system sought to unify the country’s currency and curb the chaos of prewar state and private banknotes. This one-dollar denomination, now exceedingly rare, was among the first series of National Bank Notes printed by the American Bank Note Company, combining exquisite engraving with pioneering financial history.

The design of the 1865 $1 National Bank Note is a masterpiece of nineteenth-century engraving, full of classical symbolism and patriotic imagery. On the face of the note, the central vignette features an allegorical figure of Liberty seated beside a shield and surrounded by agricultural motifs that represent prosperity and peace. Her gaze is steady and hopeful, reflecting the optimism of a nation emerging from civil strife. To the left, an image of Christopher Columbus stands beside the inscription “National Currency,” reinforcing the sense of exploration and national identity. The right side contains a bold number “1” in ornate scrollwork, denoting the denomination, and the title “The First National Bank of Kansas City” engraved in elegant script. Each note was printed with distinctive blue or red overprints for Treasury seals and charter information, as well as the hand-signed autographs of the bank’s cashier and president. The reverse of the note is a lush green color—hence the origin of the term “greenback”—with a complex geometric design and the denomination repeated in decorative patterns. The intricate engraving was both an artistic achievement and a security measure against counterfeiting, a constant concern in nineteenth-century America.

The issuance of this note under Charter #1995 ties it directly to the First National Bank of Kansas City, which received its federal charter in the 1860s when Kansas City was rapidly developing as a transportation and commercial hub. National Bank Notes were produced only by banks that had purchased U.S. bonds and deposited them with the Treasury as security for their note issue. Each bank’s charter number, name, and location were printed directly on the note, making every issue unique to that institution. In the case of this 1865 $1 note, the Kansas City bank would have used it to circulate currency locally, supporting trade, agriculture, and reconstruction-era commerce in the growing frontier city. These early Missouri issues are particularly prized by collectors because of their connection to the state’s pivotal role in westward expansion and the postwar economy.

The minting—or more accurately, printing—process of the 1865 $1 National Bank Note followed strict standards established by the U.S. Treasury Department. The American Bank Note Company engraved the steel plates, and the notes were printed on high-quality cotton-fiber paper to ensure durability. Each note was individually numbered and carried the Treasury seal and the serial numbers assigned to that specific chartering bank. The process combined centralized government control with local distribution, making the National Bank system both standardized and community-oriented. The artistry of these notes was unmatched in their time, as the government aimed to foster confidence in a newly unified currency following years of financial instability.

In terms of mintage, or more precisely issuance, the number of $1 notes printed under Charter #1995 was limited and subject to redemption and destruction once they were withdrawn from circulation. Because National Bank Notes were backed by U.S. bonds, banks were required to redeem them in lawful money upon demand and return worn examples to the Treasury for cancellation. This process resulted in extremely low survival rates for early $1 denominations, as they were the most frequently used and heavily circulated. Today, only a handful of 1865 $1 notes from Kansas City’s Charter #1995 are known to exist, and most surviving examples are held in institutional collections or in the hands of advanced specialists in National Currency. The rarity of this note cannot be overstated—it represents not only a financial instrument but also a fragment of the early history of Missouri banking and American economic recovery after the Civil War.

The condition designation “PR” (Proof) associated with this note adds even greater significance. A Proof National Bank Note was not intended for circulation; rather, it was an archival or specimen example printed to demonstrate the design and engraving quality before production or to be preserved by the bank or printer for record purposes. Proofs were typically struck from original plates on high-quality paper without serial numbers or signatures, and often mounted on card stock. As such, they display unmatched sharpness and contrast, showing the full beauty of the engraver’s work without the wear, folds, or cancellations common to circulating pieces. A Proof example of an 1865 $1 Kansas City note would be exceedingly rare, possibly unique, and highly prized as a museum-quality artifact of early American banknote engraving.

The visual condition of a Proof note like this one would be expected to be exceptional, with bright paper, crisp lines, and no evidence of handling or staining. The intricate details of Liberty’s robe, the folds of Columbus’s cloak, and the fine lines of the background ornamentation would remain as sharp as the day they were printed. Even the subtle shading and crosshatching techniques used by the engravers at the American Bank Note Company can be appreciated in a Proof state, demonstrating the extraordinary craftsmanship of the era. Such preservation allows collectors and historians to study the note as a pure work of art as well as a financial document.

The 1865 $1 National Bank Note from Kansas City, Missouri, thus occupies an important place in both American financial and artistic history. It represents the earliest efforts of the federal government to stabilize currency after the Civil War, and at the same time, it embodies the artistry and technical skill of one of the most important engraving firms in U.S. history. As a Proof specimen, it stands at the intersection of monetary history and fine printing, a relic of the moment when national unity was reaffirmed through a standardized currency system. For collectors of National Bank Notes, Missouri issues, or 19th-century American paper money, this piece is a treasure of the highest order—an authentic connection to the rebirth of American commerce and the enduring artistry of its national currency.