$500 Confederate States Coupon Bond - Criswell 57, Ball 55 - Rare Civil War Era Collectible

Description

$500 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 57, Ball 55 Offered for your consideration is a $500 coupon bond issued by the Confederate States of America under the Act of August 19, 1861. It was catalogued by the late Grover Criswell as Cr. 57 and by the late Dr. Douglas Ball as B. 55. The central vignette features a portrait of Judah P. Benjamin, a pre-war United States Senator and Confederate Attorney General, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State, presented in an oval frame and flanked by two reclining female figures. The figure at left is a representation of Commerce, while that at the right is probably meant to represent Industry or Progress. Immediately above, printed in a modified arc, is “CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA / LOAN” , while below is printed “ AUTHORIZED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS, C. S. A. OF AUGUST 19, 1861 ”. A lengthy financial obligation, printed in a lovely italic script, states (in part) that “ On the first day of July, 1869, The Confederate States of America will pay to the Bearer of this Bond … the sum of FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS with Interest thereon … at the rate of Eight per Cent. per annum … ”. This is followed by a statement that “… This debt is authorized by an Act of Congress, approved August 19, 1861, entitled ‘An Act to authorize the issue of Treasury Notes, and to provide a War Tax for their redemption …’” . It further states that, “… the Register of the Treasury, in pursuance of the said Act of Congress, hath hereunto set his hand and affixed the seal of the Treasury at RICHMOND, this 5 day of Aug 186 2 …” , with the signature of “C. T. Jones” , in his capacity as “ Actg Register of the Treasury ”, appearing at the lower right. A small vignette, depicting a young girl in a floral wreath, appears at the bottom. A wonderfully decorative, rectangular border, encloses all of the foregoing elements, neatly separating them from the remaining nine interest coupons, each of which is valued at “TWENTY DOLLARS” and hand-signed by “R J Nelson” , an employee of the Confederate Treasury. This bond was printed by “B. DUNCAN. RICHMOND. VA.” , as evidenced by their imprint at the lower left. In common with most government bonds of this era, the reverse of this piece is blank (it now bears a pencil notation of the denomination). Confederate fiscal records indicate that 1,005 bonds of this type were originally issued, though how many have survived the intervening 150+ years is unknown. A great bond to frame with a piece of Confederate currency for display in a den or office. Charles T. Jones had been employed as the chief clerk in the register’s office in Washington under Secretary of the Treasury Howell Cobb prior to the Civil War. He arrived in Montgomery, Alabama, the first Confederate capital, and assumed the same office within the fledgling government. He remained in that position throughout the war, serving from February, 1861 through April, 1865. Jones served as “Acting Register” when the official register was absent. His signature can be found on numerous bonds until 1863, after which two “assistant” registers were hired. His signature appears much less frequently in the later years of the war. This piece exhibits light toning across the entire surface, imparting to the document a beige to tan hue, somewhat darker at the top corners and along the edges (these can be hidden if the bond is matted for framing). Several light stains and foxing spots are scattered throughout the design, slightly more visible on the blank back (this staining is also noted along the folds). The contrast is above average for the issue, with the manuscript additions being sharp and fully legible. Due the acidic nature of the period ink, minor erosion is present when the bond is viewed from the back (some weakening of the paper is noted at the manuscript additions). It is interesting to note that a portion of the lower left coupon is very lightly printed, indicating that this area was improperly inked at the time of production. Several small pinholes are mentioned for accuracy, though these are almost invisible unless the bond is held to the light. In common with virtually all documents of this type, numerous horizontal and vertical folds (as well as some on the diagonal) are present (these folds occurred when the bonds were placed in safes or the cubbyholes of desks), with wrinkles noted at the edges. Several small edge issues, including some short tears, are noted (these could be strengthened with archival tape or covered by a mat if framed). This bond, measuring approximately 12⅜ x 13¾ inches, is very popular with framers, especially with the figures flanking the central design and those in the decorative border. An attractive and historic memento of that turbulent period in American history. There will be free shipping on this item. If you have any questions concerning this item, please ask before purchasing. Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2 nd Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows. American Coins and Collectibles Shreveport, LA