Since 1863, certified proofs allowed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to examine every intaglio printing plate before it was placed in production. Try transcribing these California currency proof sheets. As you work on the project, you'll learn about the rarely exhibited National Numismatics Collection and its proofs of currency, bonds, revenue stamps, checks, and more.
Since 1863, certified proofs allowed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to examine every intaglio printing plate before it was placed in production. Try transcribing these Californian currency proof sheets. As you work on the project, you'll learn about the rarely exhibited National Numismatics Collection and its proofs of currency, bonds, revenue stamps, checks, and more.
From its inception during the Civil War, it has been the practice at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to lift one proof from every intaglio printing plate so that the proof could be examined in order to prove that the plate was perfect before allowing the plate to be placed in production. In 1877, this process was formalized during the tenure of Bureau Chief Edward McPherson. He began signing the bottoms of the proofs to certify his approval. He further formalized the certification process on January 15, 1878 by including the handwritten certification date adjacent to his signature.
From 1863 to 1935, National Bank notes were issued in many denominations by thousands of banks throughout the country and in US Territories during three charter periods. In the 19th and 20th centuries, cities in California including San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose issued national currency to residents. The scenes depicted on the notes in this collection present allegorical stories pertaining to U.S. national history and leadership. On the proof sheets, you’ll find details about banks in different states, territories, and districts of the United States; including whether bonds or other securities were used to secure the note, the region, date of approval, and treasurers of the United States. Some notes even have commissioned art pieces depicting political scenes and allegories.
Saved at the Bureau until the early 1970s, the proofs were then transferred to appropriate Smithsonian Institution museums. Treasury and other items are housed in the National Numismatic Collection, at the National Museum of American History. The scope of the holdings in the Division of Numismatics encompasses approximately 350,000 proofs of currency, bonds, revenue stamps, checks, commissions, awards, food stamps, and food coupons. The result is that the Division of Numismatics holds a virtually complete collection that provides an invaluable research resource. Join us in transcribing this project to create records for each proof sheet and expand the rich data in our collections.
