Exceedingly rare complete set of the first five printed denominations of Mormon ‘white note’ currency from 1849, consisting of an unissued 25-cent note and issued partly printed notes for 50 cents, $1, $2, and $3. Each note measures 3.75 x 2, with the four issued examples filled out in another hand to N. K. Whitney and signed in ink by Brigham Young, who signs his name in full on the 50-cent note and as “B. Young” on the three larger denominations; the four issued notes are countersigned by Thomas Bullock as clerk and Heber C. Kimball as first counselor, and blindstamped with the seal of the Twelve Apostles. Each note was issued at Great Salt Lake City on January 20, 1849. In overall fine condition.
As there was no standard United States currency at the time, Brigham Young and his associates in the LDS Church established a mint in 1848 that produced coinage and currency backed by the church. The newly minted currency began to be issued in January 1849, with the bills bearing the January 20 date being the very first printing. Although over three thousand notes were printed in this run, when the church mint resumed coinage in the fall of 1849 the paper currency was redeemed and most of it was destroyed. Of the original 5,150 notes, only 184 notes, valued at $269.00 in total, were outstanding in May 1850. This particular bill is especially notable as it was issued to Newel K. Whitney, presiding bishop of the church. Kimball served as one of the original twelve apostles in the early Church of the Latter Day Saints, and Bullock was a fellow Mormon pioneer. A rare opportunity to own a complete set of these historically significant banknotes.
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