National Bank Note
![The first $10 National Bank Note issued by The First National Bank of Hawaii at Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii (1900), signed by Cecil Brown (President) and W.G. Cooper (Cashier). The vignette at left shows Benjamin Franklin conducting the famous Kite experiment. The 5550 in brown ink (and large numerals on the reverse) is the issuing bank's national charter number, also shown in the note's border engraving.](/Images/godic/202501/29/US-NBN-HI-Honolulu-5550-1882BB-10-1-B4154.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202501/29/US-NBN-IL-Lebanon-2057-Orig-1-400-C4155.jpg")
![$2 National Bank Note](/Images/godic/202501/29/US-NBN-KS-Emporia-1915-1875-2-1915-A4155.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202501/29/US-NBN-NJ-Vineland-2399-1875-5-2518-D4155.jpg")
National Bank Notes were United States currency banknotes issued by National banks chartered by the United States Government. The notes were usually backed by United States bonds the bank deposited with the United States Treasury. In addition, banks were required to maintain a redemption fund amounting to five percent of any outstanding note balance, in gold or "lawful money".