Unlike our philatelic brethren for whom the United States Postal Service creates two new collectable Christmas stamps each year, one religious and one contemporary, we must search harder to tie our hobby to the season. Of course we have the annual outpouring of one-ounce silver rounds and ingots with various seasonal themes which make great stocking stuffers. But are these truly numismatic collectibles? To some they may be.

But don’t fret Virginia, Santa Claus is coming to town and he is riding on obsolete banknotes. Yes, there are five known vignettes featuring jolly ol’ St. Nick. The first depicts Santa and six of his reindeer departing a rooftop from right to left. This vignette can be found on a Pittsfield Bank, Massachusetts $20 note; a $2 note from The Central Bank of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a $3 note from The Central Bank of Troy, N.Y.; and on a Bucksport Bank, Maine $50 note.

The second vignette again shows Santa and his reindeer departing a rooftop; however, this time in the opposite direction. This engraving appeared on several banknotes including a $2 note from The White Mountain Bank, Lancaster, New Hampshire. This particular note was the subject of a souvenir card issued for the Memphis International Paper Money Show in 1988 making easier to locate an example at a reasonable price. Other known issuers are The Central Bank of Troy, N.Y. on a $3 note; The Saint Nicholas Bank of New York City on $2 and $5 notes; The Mechanics and Manufacturers Bank, Providence, Rhode Island on a $1 note; and The Waupun Bank, Wisconsin on a $2 note.

The third vignette features Santa inside a house with his bag of gifts over his left shoulder facing a fireplace as if preparing to leave. This engraving was based on a painting by Robert W. Wier. This vignette can be found on $1 and $3 notes from The Saint Nicholas Bank of New York City.

The fourth type features Santa checking on two sleeping children in their bedroom. The original artwork, which inspired this engraving, was by the illustrator Felix O.C. Darley. This engraving was used on both $20 and $50 notes issued by The Saint Nicholas Bank of New York City of which there are no known survivors. It was also used on a $5 note by The National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee of which survivors do exist.

The fifth and final type also depicts Santa, his sled, and reindeer this time taking flight moving toward the left. This example is very rare on a banknote, as there is only one known example (a single note not just issuer). It was, you guessed it, issued by The Saint Nicholas Bank of New York City on a $5 note. Again Virginia don’t fret, if you really want an example of this vignette it is also available on a note card, which was part of a six card Christmas related set, produced by American Bank Note Commemoratives.

So don’t forget leave the milk and cookies out for Santa and have a Merry Christmas. HO HO HO HO HO HO HO

 References: Article: Notes From St. Nick, by Gene Hessler, Coin World, December 21^st, 1992

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