Product Description:
MetalStacks proudly presents an exceptional piece of late 1970s American currency with this Series 1977-A $10 Federal Reserve Note — featuring the iconic green Treasury seal, signatures of Azie Taylor Morton (Treasurer of the United States) and G. William Miller (Secretary of the Treasury), and a genuine miscut printing error that elevates this note well beyond standard circulation issues. This note combines two of the most sought-after attributes in U.S. paper money collecting: a historically significant signature pairing and a verified Bureau of Engraving and Printing production error.
(PSV 20)
This example exhibits a noticeable miscut error, with the design shifted off-center — a Bureau of Engraving and Printing production irregularity that produces an asymmetrical border and creates a true one-of-a-kind collectible. The miscut adds significant collector appeal, transforming an otherwise standard Federal Reserve Note into a distinctive piece for any U.S. paper money or error note collection.
The note features a striking engraved portrait of Alexander Hamilton — the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and founding architect of the American financial system — at center, and was issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (District 1), the oldest of the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks.
This particular example is housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly presented within a handsome wood display frame with a black matted backdrop, transforming it into a finished showcase piece ready for immediate display. The note exhibits natural signs of age and circulation consistent with its vintage, with subtle toning and paper texture variations that enhance its authenticity and historical character. Only one note is available, and it bears a unique serial number, making this a truly one-of-one collectible offering.
Note Information
- Series: 1977-A
- Denomination: $10
- Type: Federal Reserve Note
- Seal Color: Green Treasury Seal
- Issuing Bank: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (A1)
- Serial Number: A33826094B
- Portrait: Alexander Hamilton (1st U.S. Secretary of the Treasury)
- Signatures: Azie Taylor Morton (Treasurer) / G. William Miller (Secretary of the Treasury)
- Error Type: Miscut / Off-Center Printing Error
- Grade: Circulated
- Issuer: United States of America
- Paper Type: Government-issued cotton/linen blend
- Presentation: Rigid currency holder mounted within a wood display frame
- Availability: One (1) note only
Design Details
Obverse: Features the classic engraved portrait of Alexander Hamilton at center, framed by ornate scrollwork and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston seal (A1). The green Treasury seal appears to the right of Hamilton's portrait, with matching green serial numbers (A33826094B) flanking the central design. The inscription "FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE" appears prominently across the top, with the legal tender clause to the left of Hamilton: "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE." The "SERIES 1977 A" designation appears alongside the signature of Secretary G. William Miller, while Treasurer Azie Taylor Morton's signature appears at the lower left. "TEN DOLLARS" runs along the bottom border, with the district number "1" displayed at each corner identifying the Boston Federal Reserve Bank. The miscut error is plainly visible, with the design shifted from its standard alignment — an authentic Bureau of Engraving and Printing production irregularity that adds significant collector appeal.
Reverse: Displays a detailed engraved view of the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., flanked by bold "10" and "TEN" denominations at each corner. Ornate scrollwork frames the central vignette, with "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arched across the top and "TEN DOLLARS" across the bottom. The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" appears above the Treasury Building, a feature added to U.S. paper currency starting in the mid-1950s. The inscription "THE TREASURY" appears beneath the central engraving. The miscut alignment carries through to the reverse, providing visual confirmation of the printing error across both sides of the note. This iconic reverse design — first introduced in 1928 — has remained largely unchanged on $10 Federal Reserve Notes through multiple series.
Historical Significance
The Series 1977-A $10 Federal Reserve Note carries notable historical weight, primarily due to its historic signature pairing — Treasurer Azie Taylor Morton and Treasury Secretary G. William Miller — combined with the rarity of a verified production error.
Azie Taylor Morton: Serving as the 36th Treasurer of the United States from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter, Azie Taylor Morton holds the distinction of being the first and only African American woman ever to serve as U.S. Treasurer. Her signature on this note represents a historic milestone in American government, and notes bearing her signature carry meaningful significance beyond their numismatic value. Morton's path to the office — from a segregated childhood in Texas to becoming the highest-ranking African American woman in the federal government at the time — makes her signature one of the most historically meaningful on any modern U.S. currency.
G. William Miller: Serving as the 65th Secretary of the Treasury from 1979 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter, G. William Miller is the only person in American history to have served as both Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Secretary of the Treasury — making him a uniquely consequential figure in 20th-century American economic policy. He served during the height of the late-1970s inflation crisis and helped shape the policy responses that ultimately led to the early 1980s monetary tightening under his successor, Paul Volcker.
The Late-1970s Inflation Era: The 1977-A series was issued during one of the most economically turbulent periods in modern American history. Inflation was running at near double-digit levels, the U.S. was navigating the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis, and the country was just years away from the historic monetary policy shift of the early 1980s. The 1977-A $10 note circulated through this defining era, making it a tangible artifact of late Carter-era American economic history.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: This note was issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (A1) — the oldest and first-numbered of the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, having been founded in 1914 when the Federal Reserve System was first established. Located in the historic financial heart of New England, the Boston Fed serves the six New England states and has played a key role in American monetary policy since the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.
Hamilton's Legacy: The choice of Alexander Hamilton for the $10 note continues a tradition that began with the very first small-size $10 note in 1928. As the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (1789–1795), Hamilton designed the foundational structure of American finance — establishing the U.S. Mint, the First Bank of the United States, and the federal credit system. His portrait has appeared on the $10 bill in every series since 1928 and remains there today, making this Hamilton portrait one of the longest-running design elements in American paper currency.
The Significance of the Miscut Error: Error notes are among the most desirable categories of U.S. paper money collecting. When a note escapes the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's rigorous quality control with a visible production defect, the result is an inherently scarce and uniquely identifiable collectible. When such an error appears on a note bearing a historic signature pairing — particularly one featuring the first African American woman ever to serve as U.S. Treasurer — the result is a doubly significant piece of currency that combines numismatic, historical, and production-error appeal in a single example. This convergence of attributes makes this note a standout addition for serious U.S. paper money collectors, error note specialists, and those drawn to the rich history of the Carter administration.
Presentation
This note is securely housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly mounted within a wood display frame with a black matted background, ready for immediate display on a desk, shelf, mantel, or wall. The framed setup protects the note while allowing full visibility of its design, green seal, Hamilton portrait, serial number, historic Morton/Miller signature pairing, and the distinctive miscut error. As with all MetalStacks offerings, the note has been carefully handled and verified for authenticity.
Because only one example is available, the exact note shown — including its distinct serial number, miscut error, and individual condition — is the note you will receive.
For additional details or collector inquiries, please contact MetalStacks at (561) 529-3001.