CVC & Collectables presents this 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note, popularly known as the Bison Note, is one of the most recognizable designs in American paper money history. Featuring a magnificent American bison at the center, this large-size United States Note is cataloged as Friedberg #122m (Mule) and certified PMG Very Fine 30. Its elaborate engravings, historical portraits, and distinctive artwork make it a highly collectible example of early 20th-century American currency.
Currency Highlights
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Country: United States
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Year: 1901
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Denomination: $10
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Type: Legal Tender / United States Note
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Nickname: Bison Note
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Friedberg Number: Fr#122m
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Variety: Mule
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Signatures: Elliott | White
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Serial Number: E18160591
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Plate Position: C
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Back Plate: 366
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Grade: PMG Very Fine 30
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Certification Number: 1529429-001
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Obverse: American bison flanked by portraits of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
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Reverse: Allegorical figure of Columbia surrounded by elaborate green engravings
Design & Devices
Obverse: The centerpiece features an American bison standing on the plains, accompanied by portraits of explorers Meriwether Lewis on the left and William Clark on the right. Large denomination counters, an ornate red Treasury seal, and the Roman numeral X contribute to the note’s distinctive appearance.
Reverse: Displays an allegorical representation of Columbia surrounded by intricate architectural elements, decorative scrollwork, and green engravings. The denomination TEN DOLLARS appears within the elaborate design.
Historical Significance
The 1901 $10 Legal Tender Note commemorates America’s westward expansion and the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, the expedition explored the Louisiana Purchase and established important geographic and scientific records of the American West.
The American bison was chosen as a powerful symbol of the western frontier. Its prominent placement makes the 1901 issue particularly distinctive among United States large-size currency.
The Fr#122m Mule variety identifies a specialized printing combination involving face and back plates of differing design generations, adding another dimension of interest for collectors of paper money varieties.
Collectibility
The 1901 Bison Note is widely regarded as one of the classic designs of American large-size currency. Its combination of western imagery, Lewis and Clark portraits, and intricate engraving has made it a longstanding favorite among collectors.
This example is further distinguished by its Fr#122m Mule attribution, Elliott-White signatures, and PMG VF30 certification. Find more alike here!
