DALLAS, TX.- The first piece of United States federal currency ever issued — in private hands since its last auction appearance in 1970 — highlights an exemplary array of rare notes in Heritage Auctions' Currency Platinum Night Auction at the 2014 Chicago ANA World's Fair of Money. Platinum Night for Currency is Wednesday, August 6 at 6:30 PM, with additional Platinum Nights for US Coins and World & Ancient Coins following on Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8 respectively.

The rare Series 1861 $10 Demand Note (est. $125,000+) is one of only three Friedberg 7a's known, and is additionally the only serial number 1 with the handwritten "For The" known from any of the issuing locations. Although many notes claim the title of "first" note issued by the United States, this is unquestionably the real deal, as the handwritten "For The" Demand Notes were the first of the Demand Notes, with the initial issue starting in 1861 while the "Greenback" Legal Tender Notes were not issued until 1862.

"This auction features The Greensboro Collection Part IV," said Dustin Johnston, Director of Currency Auctions at Heritage. "We don't use the phrase 'museum-quality' lightly; however collectors will find many cornerstone pieces in Chicago."

At a PMG certified Very Fine 20, the finer of two known $20 1882 Gold Certificates (est. $250,000+), countersigned in pen by Thomas C. Acton, presents possibly the last opportunity to obtain an autographed countersigned $20 Gold for the remainder of this generation. Only 14,000 notes were issued with the pen signed countersignature before the plates were changed to include Acton's engraved signature.

An extraordinary $100 1914 Red Seal Reserve Note Cut Sheet of Four, each piece displaying a vivid red overprint, exists as the only cut sheet extant from a run of sixteen consecutive notes discovered 30 years ago (est. $125,000+). Another note making a rare auction appearance is a $20 1906 Gold Certificate graded Fine 15 by PCGS, which is the only known Gold Certificate Large Size star invert to exist (est. $50,000+).

A $100 1882 Brown Back note from The Union NB of Chicago (est. $120,000+) is a fabulous note, and one of a literal handful of $100 Brown Backs from any location to receive a grade of 66PPQ or EPQ from either of the two major grading services. After a full decade of third party grading, PCGS has graded exactly one $100 Brown Back at the Gem New 66PPQ level and one at one point higher.

Among the auction's extensive selection of high-grade notes is a $100 1914 Red Seal Federal Reserve Note graded Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ by PMG. The note is far and away the finest of the only four reported to be Uncirculated (est. $75,000+). A stunning $5 1896 Silver Certificate, graded an eye-popping Superb Gem New 67PPQ by PCGS, features deep, original embossing and a welcome two digit serial number (est. $50,000+). A $100 1928 Gold Certificate is another rare survivor in a stellar state of preservation. The truly rare note is the only one graded Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ by PMG (est. $25,000+).

A $20/$10 1974 Federal Reserve Note exists as a curious error specimen. The double denomination has always been held in high esteem by paper money collectors and this is likely to once again generate intense bidder interest (est. $25,000+).

The auction's selection of Face Proofs is led by a Hessler SCE12 1895-dated $5 Educational Face Proof, (est. $15,000+), looks as crisp and sharp as the day it was printed for review.