George Washington portrait engraving on india die sunk on card, American Bank Note Co.

An exquisite die proof by American Bank Note Co., New York. Originally engraved in 1889 for the centennial of Washington’s inauguration, this carries a V 42199 die number, meaning this is a 1924 proof pulled from an original 1889 die on hand.

Formed in 1858 by a consolidation of seven major engraving and printing firms, ABNCo went on to dominate the security printing business worldwide. From 1858 until the twilight of the issuance of currency by state-chartered banks in the mid-1860s, the firm produced bills for banks all across the United States. Often this was done by taking plates from the firms that comprised ABNCo in 1858, adding the ABNCo monogram, and printing new versions. In addition, the firm produced Federal currency for the United States government from 1861 through the 1870s, postage stamps for many years, and countless security documents for banks, governments, and other institutions.