MetalStacks proudly presents an exceptional piece of American currency with this Series 1953 $2 United States Note — a Star Note replacement issue featuring the iconic red Treasury seal and signatures of Ivy Baker Priest (Treasurer of the United States) and George M. Humphrey (Secretary of the Treasury). This note combines two of the most sought-after attributes in U.S. paper money collecting: the prestigious red seal United States Note designation — a category of currency distinct from Federal Reserve Notes — and the coveted star (★) suffix identifying it as an official replacement issue.
(PSV 25)
The serial number ★01174790A features the distinctive star symbol in place of the standard prefix letter, identifying this as an official replacement note printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to replace a damaged or defective note from the original print run. United States Notes (also known as Legal Tender Notes) represent a separate class of U.S. currency, issued directly by the Treasury rather than through the Federal Reserve System, with a history dating back to the Civil War. Only one note is available, and it bears a unique serial number, making this a truly one-of-one collectible offering.
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.
Note Information
- Series: 1953
- Denomination: $2
- Type: United States Note (Legal Tender Note) — Star Note ★ Replacement Issue
- Seal Color: Red Treasury Seal
- Serial Number: ★01174790A
- Signatures: Ivy Baker Priest (Treasurer) / George M. Humphrey (Secretary of the Treasury)
- Grade: Circulated
- Issuer: United States of America (Direct Treasury Issue)
- Paper Type: Government-issued cotton/linen blend
- Legal Tender Clause: "This Note Is a Legal Tender at Its Face Value for All Debts Public and Private"
- Presentation: Rigid currency holder mounted within a wood display frame
- Availability: One (1) note only
Design Details
Obverse: Features the classic engraved portrait of Thomas Jefferson at center, framed by ornate scrollwork. The bold red Treasury seal on the right and matching red serial numbers (★01174790A) immediately distinguish this note as a United States Note rather than a Federal Reserve Note — a critical visual marker for collectors. The inscription "UNITED STATES NOTE" appears prominently across the top, with the legal tender clause "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE" to the left of Jefferson's portrait. The "SERIES 1953" designation appears alongside the signature of Secretary George M. Humphrey, while Treasurer Ivy Baker Priest's signature appears at the lower left. The star symbol (★) clearly precedes the serial number on both sides, identifying this as a Star Note replacement issue.
Reverse: Displays a detailed engraved view of Monticello — Thomas Jefferson's iconic Virginia estate — framed by ornate scrollwork and bordered by bold "2" and "TWO" denominations at each corner. The inscriptions "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arches across the top, with "TWO DOLLARS" anchoring the bottom. The Monticello reverse was used on $2 notes from 1928 through 1976, when it was replaced by the John Trumbull "Declaration of Independence" engraving for the Bicentennial issue.
Historical Significance
The Series 1953 $2 United States Note represents a distinctive and historically significant class of American paper money. United States Notes (also called Legal Tender Notes) were first authorized by Congress in 1862 to help finance the Civil War and are notable for being issued directly by the U.S. Treasury rather than through the Federal Reserve System. They are identifiable by their distinctive red Treasury seal and red serial numbers, in contrast to the green seals and serial numbers of Federal Reserve Notes. This red-seal classification gives them a unique visual identity and a place of honor in U.S. currency history.
Star Notes add another layer of rarity. They are official replacements printed when a regular note is damaged or destroyed during production, and they are produced in dramatically smaller quantities than standard notes — making them inherently scarce and highly collectible. When a Star Note also belongs to the red-seal United States Note family — itself a phased-out class of currency that ceased production in 1971 — the result is a piece of currency that bridges multiple categories of collector interest in a single example.
The 1953 series specifically carries the signatures of Ivy Baker Priest and George M. Humphrey, who served together during the Eisenhower administration, anchoring this note in mid-20th-century American Treasury history. United States Notes were phased out entirely by 1971, making any surviving example — particularly a Star Note replacement issue — a genuine piece of a closed chapter in U.S. monetary policy.
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, vibrant red seal, star serial number, and signatures. 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 star serial number and individual condition — is the note you will receive.
For additional details or collector inquiries, please contact MetalStacks at (561) 529-3001.