The 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note stands as one of America’s most iconic and artistically ambitious pieces of currency, representing a pinnacle of early 20th-century banknote design. This distinctive bill featured a dramatic portrayal of an American bison as its central motif, earning it the popular nickname “Bison Note” among collectors and historians. Right now, 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Notes are available in certified condition at JM Bullion.
Note Highlights:
Each 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note available here comes in a protective currency slab with a grade of Very Fine 30 from the Professional Coin Grading Service. This note grade from the PCGS indicates a specimen with one or two extra folds compared to an Extremely Fine specimen, with paper that retains its original brightness and crispness. In general, notes at this grade level have good color and visual appeal.
The 1901 $10 Bison Note was part of the Legal Tender series authorized under the Legal Tender Acts during the Civil War era, though this particular design emerged decades later as part of currency redesign efforts. Issued during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, it embodied the nation’s growing appreciation for its natural heritage and represented a bold departure from the more conventional portrait-based currency designs of the era.
The obverse of 1901 Bison Legal Tender Notes features a vignette depicting a magnificent American bison in a natural prairie setting, flanked by portraits of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on either side. The intricate engraving work showcased the technical mastery of the Bureau’s artisans, with elaborate scrollwork, geometric patterns, and fine-line details.
On the reverse of the 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note, you’ll find ornate geometric designs and denominations rendered in multiple colors, demonstrating the sophisticated printing techniques available at the turn of the century.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.

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The 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note stands as one of America’s most iconic and artistically ambitious pieces of currency, representing a pinnacle of early 20th-century banknote design. This distinctive bill featured a dramatic portrayal of an American bison as its central motif, earning it the popular nickname “Bison Note” among collectors and historians. Right now, 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Notes are available in certified condition at JM Bullion.
Note Highlights:
Each 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note available here comes in a protective currency slab with a grade of Very Fine 30 from the Professional Coin Grading Service. This note grade from the PCGS indicates a specimen with one or two extra folds compared to an Extremely Fine specimen, with paper that retains its original brightness and crispness. In general, notes at this grade level have good color and visual appeal.
The 1901 $10 Bison Note was part of the Legal Tender series authorized under the Legal Tender Acts during the Civil War era, though this particular design emerged decades later as part of currency redesign efforts. Issued during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, it embodied the nation’s growing appreciation for its natural heritage and represented a bold departure from the more conventional portrait-based currency designs of the era.
The obverse of 1901 Bison Legal Tender Notes features a vignette depicting a magnificent American bison in a natural prairie setting, flanked by portraits of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on either side. The intricate engraving work showcased the technical mastery of the Bureau’s artisans, with elaborate scrollwork, geometric patterns, and fine-line details.
On the reverse of the 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note, you’ll find ornate geometric designs and denominations rendered in multiple colors, demonstrating the sophisticated printing techniques available at the turn of the century.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.