EXCHANGE BANK, BANGOR, MAINE, $5, HAXBY G8 – SS CENTRAL AMERICA TREASURE

Rare $5 Exchange Bank, Bangor, ME Note – A Remarkable Relic from the SS Central America

Recovered in 2014 by Odyssey Marine Exploration from the wreck of the SS Central America, this $5 Exchange Bank, Bangor, ME banknote (Haxby G8) is a captivating artifact steeped in history. Found within Purser Hull’s safe, the note was preserved alongside a treasure trove of gold nuggets, silver coins, and other relics—a testament to the safe's once-valuable contents.

The recovery of the safe itself was an extraordinary moment. When the arm of the remotely operated vehicle touched it, the iron shell dissolved into a cloud of red dust, revealing the pristine interior treasures, including a pistol—a stark reminder of the high stakes associated with securing valuable cargo. Among the recovered items were eleven banknotes, including this stunning $5 note from a small Maine bank.

This specimen is solid and complete, showing no holes or missing pieces but bearing stains from its 160-year slumber beneath the ocean. Its journey from a small bank in Bangor, Maine, to the heart of the California Gold Rush, and ultimately aboard the ill-fated SS Central America, adds an element of intrigue that collectors and historians find irresistible.

Why was this note accepted for passage on a voyage where paper currency held little practical value? Perhaps it was accepted as partial payment for a ticket or as a trusted financial instrument amidst an interconnected banking system. While the full story remains a mystery, this beautifully crafted banknote sparks the imagination and offers a tangible connection to a bygone era of adventure and ambition.

A true prize for collectors and investors, this Exchange Bank note is more than a historical artifact—it’s a window into the human stories of fortune, loss, and survival tied to one of America’s most famous shipwrecks.