$20 National Currency 1882-DB Ch#6062 - 1st National Bank, Bay City, TX - PCGS 30

Located southwest of Houston, Bay City is the county seat of Matagorda.  Bay City is located about 25 miles inland from the gulf coast, which confused this Michigander who often passes by Bay City, MI, located on the Saginaw Bay which can be seen from space.  However, the city in Texas was formerly known Bay Prairie and this prairie is home to several streams that cover the area and lead to the Matagorda Bay.  The First National Bank of Bay City was chartered the day after Christmas in 1901 and survive the national currency era.  The city’s other issuing back was short lived, only surviving for 1905 to 1907 and only issued Real Seals.  The census for the bank reports 11 large but this note is included twice, once incorrectly as a $10 and then correctly as $20.  Also, the only Brown Back in the census does not have a grade or a serial number reported, which makes its existence questionable  It is possible that this note is 1 OF ONLY 3 SECOND CHARTER NOTES FOR THE BANK with all other large being third charter notes.  This note sold for $4,370 in Lyn Knight in 2009.