Nutmeg Nationals

Deep River, Connecticut is one of those small towns in which you can imagine a Hallmark movie taking place, even if in name only. My first — and only — experience with this quaint location is due to what it’s most famous for: The Deep River Ancient Muster. Fife and Drum Corps from across the state and even across the country converge on this town every third Saturday in July.

As is the inexplicably case with many Connecticut Nationals, there is a relatively strong population with 38 large size notes and 47 small out there to be had.. or not had, if you will. And although you can get your hands on one if you’re hunting, you’ll have to pay close attention. Offered only a few times a year, you’ll need to be diligent as they’re snapped up quickly. Small size notes are considerably easier to find than their large predecessors and are just as sought after.

I feel I had luck on my side when shortly after I got my hands on the 1902 Plain Back, I spotted the 1875 $1. Pleasantly surprised, it came at an exceptionally reasonable price. Granted, it’s in rough shape, but as one of three 1875 aces, I expected to tap out and let someone with deeper pockets than mine add it to their collection.

As is true for many, if not most National Banks, there exists a diverse variety of ephemera, such as the bank drafts shown above. Being able to match Banker signatures from documents such as drafts, checks, and other documents adds another fulfilling layer all of this.

The bank was originally located in the Main Street home of George Read, then moved into its first permanent quarters on the east side of Main Street, south of its intersection with High Street, in November of that year. Sadly, the original building no longer stands.