Series 1928D $2 Legal Tender Note (United States Note – Red Seal)

• Catalog Reference: Friedberg #1505 (Fr. 1505)

• Denomination: $2 (Two Dollars)

• Type: Small-Size Legal Tender / United States Note (Red Treasury Seal & Red Serials)

• Series: Series 1928 D (Holder label is correct)

• Facility: Washington, D.C.

• Signatures: Julian – Morgenthau Jr. (W. A. Julian, Treasurer of the United States; Henry Morgenthau Jr., Secretary of the Treasury)

• Serial Number: C 69786313 A

• Plate Positions: Front position letter A (upper left), Front plate A 278 (lower right), Back plate unnumbered or obscured in margin

Design & Series Characteristics

• Historic Left-Side Red Seal: As with all 1928 small-size $2 issues, the vivid red Treasury seal sits boldly on the left side of Thomas Jefferson's portrait—a hallmark pre-war design layout shifted permanently to the right beginning in 1953.

• Classic Obligation & Pre-Motto Reverse:

  • Bears the pre-1963 demand obligation: "WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS".

  • Features the updated post-gold-standard legal tender clause: "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE".

  • Reverse vignette showcases Monticello in its original pre-motto engraving, free of "IN GOD WE TRUST".

• Serial Composition (C 69786313 A):

  • Digits present: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 (a 6-digit mix).

  • Contains internal pairs of threes (...3...3) and sixes (6...6), following standard circulation sequencing.

Adjusted Condition Assessment

• Technical Grade: Fine to Very Fine Details (Apparent VF 20–25, Upper-Left Corner Paper Loss & Bottom Margin Split) / Net VG 10 – F 12

• Paper Quality & Wear Breakdown:

  • Underlying Body & Eye Appeal: The central design elements remain strong, with sharp portrait engraving on Jefferson and well-defined architectural lines across Monticello. The paper fibers retain honest body and structural firmness typical of a solid VF 20–25 note rather than a worn, limp bill.

  • Upper-Left Corner Loss: Displays paper loss at the upper-left corner tip into the outer frame line.

  • Bottom Margin Split: A short vertical handling tear extends upward from the lower center border into the demand lettering.

  • Circulation Characteristics: Light, honest pocket folds and gentle edge toning consistent with authentic Depression-era circulation.

  • Overprint inks remain strong, with deep crimson color on the left-side Treasury seal and serial digits.