0 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 29, Ball 54

Description

0 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 29, Ball 54
Offered for your consideration is a 0 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. 29 and by the late Dr. Douglas Ball as B. 54. The central vignette features a portrait of Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter, a pre-war United States representative and senator, as well as a short-term Confederate Secretary of State and long-term Confederate senator, presented in a circular frame and surrounded by an ornate floral design. Immediately above, printed in an arc, is
“CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA / LOAN”
, with “
AUTHORIZED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS. C.S.A. OF AUGUST 19, 1861
”, below the vignette. This is followed by a lengthy financial obligation, printed in a lovely italic scrip, which 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 ONE 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
May
186
2
…”
, with the signature of the register,
“Ro. Tyler”
, appearing at the lower right. At the bottom center is a small vignette depicting a dog beside a locked box (this design element was used frequently to represent the safety and security of your money, since dogs were known for their fidelity). A decorative, rectangular border, with the denomination repeated at the top and bottom and decorative designs at each corner (also with the denomination), encloses all of the foregoing elements, neatly separating them from the remaining 10 interest coupons. Each of these coupons is valued at
“FOUR DOLLARS”
and hand-signed by
“G E Dabney”
, one of the many Treasury employees authorized to sign fiscal documents. This bond was printed by
“B. DUNCAN COLUMBIA. S.C.”
, as evidenced by their imprint at the lower center. In common with most government bonds of this era, the reverse of this piece is blank. Confederate fiscal records indicate that 8,884 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.
Robert Tyler
was the son of John Tyler, the 10
th
President of the United States, and served as the register of the Confederate Treasury from August 13, 1861 until the close of the war. He received his position mainly through the influence of his father and not due to any special abilities of his own. It is interesting to note that during his father’s administration, Robert spent a great deal of time in the White House, and his wife served for some time as the official hostess.
This piece exhibits light toning across the entire surface, imparting to the document an off-white to beige hue, somewhat darker at the top corners and along the edges (these can be hidden if the bond is matted for framing). Several foxing spots are scattered throughout the design, somewhat more visible on the blank back. The contrast is average for the issue, with the manuscript additions being sharp and fully legible. Due the acidic nature of the period ink and the type of paper used in production, corrosion is present at the signatures and serial numbers, easily detected when the bond is viewed from the back (this is especially true at the signature). In common with virtually all documents of this type, 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 (possibly from being wet in the past). Some minor edge tears are noted, especially at the wrinkled sections. The margins are average for the issue, though slightly irregular, with the bottom being cut to the frame of the coupons (this occurred when the coupons were removed for redemption). This bond, measuring approximately 12½ x 14 inches, is very popular with framers, especially with the floral design and decorative border. An attractive and historic memento of that turbulent period in American history.
A charge of .95 will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
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