A Civil War-era piece of currency with ties to Wayne County sold at auction Thursday for a larger-than-expected amount.

The banknote, an 1863 $5 bill with the serial number 1, was bought during a live auction in Baltimore for $26,400. The identity of the new owner has not yet been made public.

The bill was printed on the East Coast, but was sent to the First National Bank of Richmond - one of the first chartered banks in the United States - where it was stamped Nov. 2, 1863.

The note was signed by bank president James E. Reeves, as well as the cashier, Thomas G. Yarrington, but was never released to the public.

Instead, it was likely kept as a souvenir by one of the men, said Manning Garrett, director of currency auctions for Stacks Bowers, the auction house which sold the piece.

The 154-year-old piece of currency was discovered at an estate in Virginia, and was placed in the auction by a seller who did not want to be identified.

Garrett said prior to the auction the bill was expected to fetch anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 at auction, but had the potential to sell for more.

The bill is believed to be the oldest piece of currency in Indiana's history that is still in existence. Another bill, from Fort Wayne, could be older, but it is believed to have beendestroyed through wear and tear.

It is unknown whether anyone from Indiana took part in either the online bidding or the live election.

To read the complete articles, see:
This $5 piece of Richmond history could sell for thousands. Here'swhy. (http://www.pal-item.com/story/news/local/2017/11/05/5-piece-richmond-history-could-sell-thousands-heres-why/814500001/)
Historic Richmond banknote sells for more than $26,000(http://www.pal-item.com/story/news/local/2017/11/09/historic-richmond-banknote-sells-more-than-26-000/841419001/)