City of Great Falls Municipal Bond from 1917
City of Great Falls Municipal Bond from 1917
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Are the certificates authentic?
Are the certificates authentic?
Yes, all of the certificates we sell are authentic stock and bond certificates unless otherwise mentioned in the description. At one point in time, this certificate represented a share of of the company, or a bond receipt. These certificates have been removed from circulation and digitalized, as seen by cancellation holes, stamps and writing on the certificate. We offer these certificates as a collectable item, not a security.
This is an original Special Improvement District Coupon Bond from the City of Great Falls, dated August 1917, printed in green. Features a panoramic vignette of the Great Falls of the Missouri River, showing dramatic waterfalls cascading over multiple tiers of rocky cliffs with a scenic landscape background. The bond was issued to S. Birch and Sons Construction Company for Special Improvement District No. 325.
The bond shows age-appropriate wear with light discoloration that gives the century-old municipal document authentic character and patina. No cancellation markings are visible, indicating this bond was never redeemed. The certificate bears handwritten signatures from the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Treasurer, along with the official city seal.
By 1917, Great Falls had transformed from a frontier outpost into Montana's industrial powerhouse, anchored by the spectacular waterfalls that provided abundant hydroelectric power for copper smelting and manufacturing. The city was founded in 1883 by Paris Gibson, a visionary entrepreneur who envisioned Great Falls as the "Pittsburgh of the West." Gibson partnered with copper king Marcus Daly, who recognized the Missouri River falls as the perfect location for processing ore from his Anaconda mines. The massive Black Eagle Dam, completed in 1891, cemented Great Falls' role as the smelting capital of the world, where copper from Butte was refined into wire that electrified American cities. Special Improvement Districts like No. 325 funded the infrastructure—paved streets, water mains, sidewalks—that supported this industrial boom and the thousands of workers it attracted.
Municipal bonds from the World War I era capture a pivotal moment when American cities were borrowing against future prosperity to build the infrastructure of the modern age. These documents represent both civic ambition and financial artistry, as even utilitarian municipal financing required the engraver's craft to inspire public confidence. The detailed vignette of the Great Falls themselves transforms a simple debt instrument into a portrait of the natural wonder that powered an entire region's economy. Offered as a collectible.
Materials and care
Materials and care
Here are some quick tips to preserve your certificate for decades to come.
Paper quality: Stock certificates were printed on a variety of certificate paper dating back to the mid 1800s. Most of these vintage collectable certificates have signs of used & wear , cancellation holes, pencil / pen writing, stamps, staples, adhesives, slight rips, missing coupons and other features.
Handling: Always handle the certificate with clean, dry hands or use cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils and dirt from your skin onto the paper.
Storage: Store the certificate in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading. Use acid-free folders or archival-quality plastic sleeves to protect it from moisture, dust, and physical damage.
Framing: If displaying the certificate, use a frame with UV-protective glass to prevent light damage. Ensure the certificate is mounted using acid-free materials to avoid any chemical reactions that could degrade the paper over time.
Avoid Exposure: Keep the certificate away from direct sun, extreme temperatures and humidity, which can cause the paper to warp or deteriorate. Avoid exposing it to pollutants, such as smoke or chemicals, which can cause discoloration.
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