1918 $1 Large Size Federal Reserve Bank Note Minneapolis Fr. 734 Green Eagle

Authorized under the Pittman Act of 1918 and the Federal Reserve Act, the Series of 1918 $1 Federal Reserve Bank Note (FRBN)—cataloged as Friedberg Fr. 734—is one of the most historically significant large-size issues in United States numismatics. The Pittman Act directed the melting of up to 350 million standard silver dollars to supply silver bullion to Great Britain during World War I, prompting the emergency issuance of Federal Reserve Bank Notes backed by United States certificates of indebtedness and one-year gold notes to replace retiring Silver Certificates in general circulation. This issue represents the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Minnesota (District 9-I), identifiable by its regional typography and four bold "9-I" district designations.

The reverse features Howard E. Baldwin’s master engraving of an American bald eagle in dynamic flight clutching the national banner and arrows, an iconic vignette celebrated among currency collectors as the "Green Eagle" or "Flying Eagle". The face showcases Gilbert Stuart’s portrait vignette of George Washington, engraved by G.F.C. Smillie, centered between the deep blue scalloped Department of the Treasury seal and the historic engraved facsimile signatures of Register of the Treasury Houston B. Teehee, Treasurer of the United States John Burke, Cashier M.A. Cook, and Governor Theodore Wold. As an essential cornerstone of early 20th-century large-size paper money, the 1918 Green Eagle captures the peak era of American intaglio steel-plate banknote security engraving.