00 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 91, Ball 86

Description

00 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 91, Ball 86
Offered for your consideration is a 00 bond issued by the Confederate States of America under the Act of August 19, 1861. It was listed by the late Grover Criswell as Cr. 91 and by the late Dr. Douglas Ball as B. 86. The central vignette features a well-executed portrait of Lucy Holcombe Pickens, wife of the governor of South Carolina and known as the “Queen of the Confederacy”, presented in a circle, with three female figures around. One of the figures clearly represents Justice or the law, while a second one appears to represent Commerce or Science. The third, supporting a flag in the center may represent the Confederacy or the military. Immediately above this scene, printed in an 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 financial obligation, executed in a lovely italic script, follows. This obligation states (in part) that “
On the first day of July 1874, The Confederate States of America will pay to the Bearer of this Bond … the sum of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS with Interest thereon … at the rate of Eight per Cent. per annum …
”. It further declares that “…
This debt is authorized by an Act of Congress … entitled ‘An Act to authorize the issue of Treasury Notes, and provide a War Tax for their redemption …’
.” It was signed and sealed
“… at RICHMOND, this
20
day of
Aug
186
2
…”
by
“
C. T. Jones
”
in his capacity as
“
Actg
Register of the Treasury”
. A highly decorative, rectangular border (composed of floral elements and fancy scrollwork) encloses the above elements, neatly separating them from the nineteen remaining interest coupons. Each coupon is valued at
“FORTY DOLLARS”
and is hand-signed by
“W R
(or N)
Teller”
, one of the many employees in the Confederate Treasury tasked with signing financial instruments. As with most bonds of this era, the reverse of this bond was unaccomplished (it now bears an ink notation at the upper left). The bond was printed by “
B. DUNCAN, COLUMBIA, S.C.
”, as evidenced by his imprint at the lower center. According to Confederate financial records, only 2.064 bonds of this type were originally issued. Undoubtedly, many of this original issuance would have been lost or destroyed in the intervening 150+ years, making the remaining pieces rare and desirable. Bonds of this type are especially popular with framers due to the large and evocative central vignette (especially with the portrait of an actual woman), as well as the fantastically detailed border. This is a great opportunity to add one of these interesting pieces to your collection. Better than frequently encountered.
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.
The presently offered specimen exhibits of signs of moderate period use, followed by many years of storage. Toning is present across the entire surface, imparting an off-white to beige appearance to the piece, with the edges being slightly darker due to handling (these handling issues are due principally to the oils and contaminates which are present on our hands). A few foxing spots are scattered throughout this piece, with the majority of these being visible in the selvage and on the back. In common with virtually all documents of this type, numerous horizontal and vertical (with some on the diagonal) folds are present (these folds occurred when the bonds were placed in safes or the cubbyholes of desks). Several of these folds exhibit minor soiling when viewed from the back, not affecting the overall eye appeal of the front. There are numerous scattered pinholes and thin spots noted for accuracy, as these are only visible when the bond is held to the light. The edges are somewhat ragged, easily covered with a mat if the piece was framed. The catalog number can be seen in pencil at the upper right (recording the catalog number on the item was a common practice years ago, but it is frowned upon today). This interesting and historic bond measures 14 x 15⅞ inches and would look great framed as the highlight of an office or den.
A charge of .95 will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
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