1899 Five Dollar Silver Certificate Oncpapa Indian Chief VF-XF

FIRST and Only Native American Note!

The powerful engraving of Running Antelope, Chief of the Oncpapa (Hunkpapa) Lakota Sioux is featured on this large-sized $5 currency note from 1899. This is the first – and only – time a Native American image was used as the central motif on any U.S. paper currency. The central vignette of Running Antelope is highlighted by the bright vibrant blue seal and “V” denoting its denomination.

The note caused some ill will among the tribes of the Great Plains when it was issued as it depicted Running Antelope as a chief wearing a Pawnee headdress as the original Lakota headdress was too tall for the engraving. Apparently the engravers at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing weren’t aware that the Lakota and Pawnee were mortal enemies on the Great Plains! Known as Ta-to-ka-in-yan-ka in Lakota, Running Antelope was a close advisor to the great Sitting Bull. As one of four principal “shirt wearers” or chiefs during the Plains Indians Wars, he eventually had a falling out with Sitting Bull because Running Antelope believed that compromise with the whites was in his people’s best interests.

Certainly one of the most popular currency notes of all time, this note blends United States history and beautiful artwork to form a uniquely American artifact from the turn of the century. While millions of these notes were printed, very few survive today in higher grades. The 1899 Series $5 Oncpapa Indian Chief Silver Certificate is a must-have for any collector. This fabulous note is available right now in Very Fine to Extremely Fine (VF-XF) condition at GovMint.com. Add it to your cart today!

• ONE OF THE TOP U.S. CURRENCY NOTES – The 1899 Series $5 Oncpapa Indian Chief Silver Certificate is one of the most popular American currency notes ever issued. Featuring the powerful image of Chief Running Antelope of the Oncpapa Sioux Tribe, it’s the first and only paper currency issued by the United States to feature a Native American as its central motif.

• LARGE “HORSE BLANKET” SIZE – This vintage note is referred to as a “horse blanket” note for its large size. At 7.5” x 3.5” it is 25% larger than today’s dollar bill.

• LEGAL TENDER CURRENCY NOTE – Each Oncpapa Indian Chief Eagle Silver Certificate was $5 legal tender and was the backbone of five-dollar silver certificates issued well into the 1920s

• INCREDIBLE GRADE FOR THIS TYPE OF NOTE – Your 1899 Series $5 Oncpapa Indian Chief Silver Certificate comes in Very Fine to Extremely Fine (VF-XF) condition. That’s a remarkable grade considering the age and widespread circulation notes like this saw around the turn of the century sand into the Roaring ’20s.