Lot 2189
1934, $10,000 Federal Reserve Note. PCGS Choice About New 55 Apparent. Fr-2231-B. This example from the Binion's Hoard has the typical minor restorations, made necessary by the minor damage caused when the notes were removed from their casino display where they were glued to the display board. Other than the trivial defects which appear on most notes from this source, it is bright, bold, and an ideal example for the collector who just wants one of these high denomination notes.
Lonnie Theodore "Ted" Binion (November 28, 1943 to September 17, 1998) was a wealthy U.S. gambling executive and one of the sons of famed Las Vegas casino magnate Lester Ben "Benny" Binion, owner of Binion's Horseshoe.
After his death, it was discovered by Nye County sheriff's deputies that Ted had had a 12-foot-deep vault built on the desert floor on a piece of property he owned in Pahrump, 60 miles west of Las Vegas. The concrete bunker contained six tons of silver bullion, Horseshoe Casino chips, paper currency, and more than 100,000 rare coins, including Carson City silver dollars--many in mint condition--estimated to be worth between $7 million and $14 million--that were once housed in the Horseshoe vault.
For years, Binion’s Million Dollar hoard of one hundred $10,000 bills was displayed in the Horseshoe Hotel. The display was a must-see downtown Las Vegas landmark since 1964. It was quietly sold in December 1999, by Horseshoe owner Becky Behnen, daughter of late Binion family patriarch.
Becky Behnen wouldn't identify the private collector who bought the collection of 100 $10,000 gold certificates, or how much was paid, other than to say the price tag was "substantial." The sale was completed after the collector approached Behnen through a third-party broker.
The collection was eventually sold and the individual notes widely dispersed to collectors. Our consignor acquired two gorgeous high-grade specimens from this legendary Binion hoard, this and the companion Lot in the sale.
Estimated Value $80,000 - 100,000.
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| Realized $86,250 |
