“Lazy
Deuce” Holds Fourth Position Among
Top 100 Greatest American
Currency Notes!
For those of us who collect coins and currency, it is no
surprise that the rare and ornately stunning “Lazy Deuce” is placed among the
top five of America’s most fascinating
currency notes. It’s just historically exquisite!
Bowers and Sundman (Whitman Publishing, Atlanta, GA- 2006) began
writing their outstanding book “100 Greatest American Currency Notes” by
surveying the leading and widely diverse group of currency dealers. These
authors asked each dealer to list what they believed to be the top American currency
notes. The results, along with photos and descriptions, of this survey are
included in their book. To no surprise, our beloved “Lazy Deuce” (page 26) is
fourth among the most fascinating notes we American collectors have ever seen! And here’s why…
Lazy Deuce National Bank Note (NBN)The word “Deuce” is a Latin word meaning “two.”
We use it as
slang when playing cards, sports, buying trucks/motorcycles, or showing the “V”
for victory. We also use it to denote an amazing piece of currency with a
distinctive “2”. This number 2 is “lazy” because it is reclining lazily
(horizontal) on its side, just above the name of the National Bank (instead of
being positioned upright and vertical). Additionally,
that tilted 2 is huge, spreading across over half of the note’s width.
The Lazy Deuce first appeared as large size nationals during
America’s Civil War, when National Bank Note currency was introduced to help finance
Northern interests. Prior to this introduction, the federal government issued
coins but basically allowed states to finance and circulate their own currency.
Additionally, to help thwart numerical alterations on bank notes, one method
was to print hugely over-sized horizontal numbers (e.g. the 2,3,5, etc.) across
the note’s front or face.
But the huge “Lazy” 2
isn’t the only stunning feature on Lazy Deuce currency! In addition to
the number 2, you’ll see an engraved woman holding the American Flag (engraved
by Louis Delnoce, titled “Stars and Stripes”), an extremely important
patriotic symbol during the war. On the note’s reverse side, also engraved by
L. Delnoce, appears a remake of the painting “Sir Walter Raleigh Presenting
Corn & Tobacco to the English.”
The issuing state’s seal and an eagle with shield are also shown. The exquisitely engraved “green backs” some say is the origin of the slang expression by the same name!
The issuing state’s seal and an eagle with shield are also shown. The exquisitely engraved “green backs” some say is the origin of the slang expression by the same name!
There are basically about seven types of Lazy Deuce notes
with Frieberg numbers between 387-393. The most rare with the highest grades
are in enormous demand, especially among private collectors! Why? Because not
only are they rare, but their eye appeal is vast because of the “Sir Walter
Raleigh…” and the “Stars & Stripes” vignettes of master engraver Louis
Delnoce as well as the state’s (or territorial) seal of the bank of issue.
Indeed, the “Lazy Deuce” has earned its number four position
among America’s most famous, and most collected currency notes. Come see our assortment
of Lazy Deuce items at Treasuredstocks.com.
We look forward to helping you
build your amazing collection!
Enjoy!
For a look at some rare and collectible currency, visit us at
We
are official members of multiple numismatic-related organizations. Thus, Treasuredstocks.com welcomes any and all
questions regarding our coin and currency postings and our passion for
collecting coins and currency of all types.
We are here to assist you!
Please give
us a call at 870-670-4255 or email us at jeff@treasuredstocks.com
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