Confederate States of America, $5 Note

Includes an archival grade document sleeve.

• Origin: Confederate States of America
• Date: February 17th, 1864
• Denomination: 5 Dollars
• Mint: Richmond, Virginia (issuing location), engraved by Keatinge & Ball, Columbia, South Carolina
• Size: 7 x 2.8 inches
• Face Side: The Confederate Capitol Building (current Virginia State Capitol) at top center. Portrait of Christopher Gustavus Memminger, Confederate Secretary of the Treasury at bottom right.
• Back Side: Denomination in decorative blue guilloches.
• Notes: At the beginning of the Civil War, the 11 states of the newly formed Confederacy needed currency to fund the war effort. Known as "greybacks," the new Confederate banknotes were backed by a promise to pay the bearer back, with many pledging payment “two years after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States.” Ironically, the initial batch of Confederate banknotes were printed in New York City and then smuggled back into the South, but problems with printing money in enemy territory led the Confederacy to employ Southern private printing companies instead. Early issue banknotes often had unrelated designs, including mythical gods, due to a lack of skilled engravers and printing tools in the South. However, later notes included Confederate themes such as famous southern politicians, historical figures, trains, naval ships, and enslaved people. The value of Confederate notes plummeted as the war turned in the Union’s favor, and they became worthless as currency after the defeat of the South.

All purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact item in the photos.