1896 U.S. $1 - Educational Series Silver Cert. - PCGS VF30 (War Annotation)

The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. The war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, which began in February 1895. Spain’s brutally repressive measures to halt the rebellion were graphically portrayed for the U.S. public by several sensational newspapers, and American sympathy for the rebels rose. The growing popular demand for U.S. intervention became an insistent chorus after the unexplained sinking in Havana harbor of the battleship USS Maine, which had been sent to protect U.S. citizens and property after anti-Spanish rioting in Havana.

Robert Forrester, who enlisted in the first call for volunteers for the Hispanic American war on April 23rd, 1898, was one of the many brave individuals who responded to this call. He left Salt Lake City, UT for Fort Russell, Wyo on May 15th, 1898, and was mustered into the U.S service on May 18. He received his first pay in the 2nd Regiment, U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, Troop J, on June 9th, 1898.

The 1896 U.S. $1 - Educational Series Silver Certificate is a piece of history from this era. Graded as Very Fine 30 by the Professional Coin Grading Service, this standard banknote features an allegorical representation of "History instructing Youth" on the obverse, with the United States Constitution, the Washington Monument, and the United States Capital in the background. The reverse features a portrait of Martha and George Washington separated by a large denomination.

What makes this banknote particularly special is the war annotation from Robert Forrester, a Spanish American Soldier in 1898, on the reverse. This note serves as a tangible connection to the past, a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the individuals who fought in the Spanish-American War.