1902 $100 National Bank Note | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Date Back | Fr. 689 | Charter #6301 | X-RARE – One of Only 4 Known | High Grade

1902 $100 National Bank Note | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Date Back | Fr. 689 | Charter #6301 | X‑RARE – One of Only 4 Known | High Grade

Genuine 1902 $100 National Bank Note – Date Back Variety, Friedberg Fr. 689. One of Only Four Recorded Examples from this Pittsburgh Institution. Exceptionally High Grade for this Denomination and Type.

This is an extraordinary offering for the advanced National Bank Note collector. Presented here is an original 1902 $100 National Bank Note issued by a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bank (Charter #6301). This is not a reproduction. It is a genuine, large‑size currency note from the National Banking Era, representing one of the highest denominations ever issued for general circulation.

According to the National Bank Note Census, this is one of only 4 known examples of Friedberg Fr. 689 from this issuing bank. $100 nationals from any bank are exceptionally scarce due to their high face value at the time of issue, which led to heavy redemption and destruction. Survivors in high grade are nearly unheard of.

Key Details

• Series: 1902 (Third Charter Period)
• City & State: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Charter Number: #6301
• Type: Date Back
• Friedberg Number: Fr. 689
• Denomination: $100 (the highest commonly issued National Bank Note denomination)
• Condition: High Grade – Exceptional paper quality, bold colors, sharp corners, clear signatures
• Rarity Rank: One of only 4 known Fr. 689 examples from this bank
• Size: Large size currency – approximately 7.5 x 3.1 inches

What is Friedberg Fr. 689?

The 1902 $100 Date Back Fr. 689 is a distinctive variety within the Third Charter series. The reverse prominently features the charter date of the issuing bank within an ornate cartouche. Fr. 689 specifically refers to the $100 Date Back issued under the Third Charter with a particular combination of signature types, Treasury seal placement, and back design elements. This Friedberg number is notably scarce, making any example – let alone one of only 4 known – a significant discovery for the advanced collector.

Why This Note is Special

Extreme Rarity – Friedberg Number: Fr. 689 is among the rarest $100 Date Back varieties. With only 4 known examples from this Pittsburgh bank (Charter #6301), this note represents the outer boundary of scarcity for National Bank Notes.

Extreme Rarity – Denomination: $100 National Bank Notes are among the rarest of all National Currency denominations. At a time when $100 represented several months' wages for the average worker, very few notes were saved. Most were redeemed and destroyed by the Treasury, leaving minuscule survival rates.

Extreme Rarity – Variety Level: This specific Fr. 689 Date Back $100 is one of only four known examples from this Pittsburgh bank. Large city banks like those in Pittsburgh typically issued more notes than rural banks, yet survival of high denominations remains exceptionally low.

High Grade Condition: Most surviving $100 nationals show heavy wear, staining, or repairs. This example presents in exceptional high grade, with strong paper crispness, vivid ink, and original margins. Notes of this quality from any bank are condition rarities; from a bank with only 4 known Fr. 689 examples, it is truly exceptional.

Historic Context: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a major industrial and banking center during the National Banking Era (1863-1935). Notes from Pittsburgh institutions are highly collectible, combining the appeal of a major city with the extreme scarcity of the $100 denomination and the specific rarity of the Fr. 689 variety.

Collector Demand: High denomination nationals ($50 and $100) form a specialized and passionate collecting niche. When a high-grade example of a rare Friedberg number like Fr. 689 appears – from a bank with only 4 known survivors – it generates significant interest from advanced collectors and investors alike.

Provenance & Census Data

This note has been recorded in the National Bank Note Census as one of only four known Fr. 689 examples from its issuing bank (Charter #6301). The $100 denomination is notoriously under‑represented in census records, and the Fr. 689 variety is among the most challenging to acquire in any condition – let alone in high grade.

Please refer to the high‑resolution photographs for a detailed assessment of condition. This note is sold raw (uncertified) unless otherwise noted, but its quality speaks for itself.

This represents a pinnacle opportunity for the specialist collector of Pennsylvania Nationals, high denomination currency, Fr. 689 specialists, or the advanced National Bank Note collector seeking a true condition census rarity.

Authenticity Guarantee

Please review all photos carefully. The images show the exact note you will receive. This note is guaranteed genuine and original and is one of only 4 recorded Fr. 689 $100 Date Back examples from this Pittsburgh bank (Charter #6301). If proven otherwise, a full refund will be provided. High‑resolution photos are considered part of the description.

Shipping & Payment

Due to the exceptional rarity and value of this note, it will be shipped flat between rigid archival-quality materials with full insurance and signature confirmation. International shipping is available upon request. Please contact us with any questions before purchasing.

This note is sold as shown. Serious inquiries only. A once‑in‑a‑generation offering for the discerning collector – one of only 4 known Fr. 689 examples from Pittsburgh (Charter #6301).