$20 National Gold Bank Notes are tough. A quick review of the population report will reveal that there are only 67 examples available to own (7 permanently impounded in museums) for all banks! Keep in mind that San Francisco has the most known examples with 40. This example is from Oakland and is one of only 8 examples available to own. It faces up well on its golden brown paper which is characteristic for most National Gold Bank Notes. With some small yet professionally done repairs this note is certain to add value to any numismatic collection. And this note represents an important stage in American finance. As a result of the exuberant amount of gold found in California, it became cumbersome for California banks to conduct day to day business. Therefore, California national banks petitioned Congress to pass a law that would allow them to issue national “gold” banknotes. These were the first readily available issues to be redeemable in gold and as such a beautiful vignette of gold coins was placed on the back illustrating their par with gold. These notes were so popular that most were used to the point of disintegration and they are usually found in G/VG condition. This note is one of the finest examples we have handled and belongs in a distinguished numismatic collection.