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LSRNs: 1902 Red Seals

Submitted by Shawn Hewitt on

The world of large size replacement nationals is somewhat inverted.  Rare is common, and common is rare.  For instance, Red Seals are highly prized among collectors of nationals because they are considerably scarcer than their Blue Seal counterparts.  Not so with LSRNs.  Of the 80 replacements documented from the relevant time period, half are Red Seals.  Why?  Because #1 notes were the most commonly damaged and needed to be replaced, and a good percentage of Red Seals that survive were saved as #1 souvenirs.  Over 60% of all the documented replacements ar

Large Size Replacement Nationals, aka Droopy 2s

Submitted by Shawn Hewitt on

This is the first in a series of weekly blogs I will be writing about Large Size Replacement Nationals.  Peter Huntoon and I wrote an article ("Identification of Series of 1882 and 1902 National Bank Replacement Notes Printed in the 1903-1915 Period") in late June that is published in the September-October edition of Paper Money, which is viewable to registered members.  SPMC members who have not yet set up their online accounts can do so here

August 21--150th Birthday of Postage Currency

Submitted by Benny Bolin on

If you have been reading BNR and the recently issue of Paper Money, you will see that Fred Reed had done a wonderful job of outlining how postage and then fractional currency came into being, the laws, the players, etc.  But when did it actually first begin circulating?  A law was signed into service on July 17, 1862 that began postage currency.  The notes were first issued on August 21, 1862 and lasted until May 29, 1863.  The first notes were printed entirely by the National Banknote Company (which was printing the postage stamps of the day) and came in sheets that had

Postage Currency "Coins"

Submitted by Benny Bolin on

Fractional Currency has enjoyed an increased popularity over the past few years.  Most collectors have some exposure and knowledge of it, however, very few collectors, other than those with advanced knowledge, know of the coins that were minted to redeem postage and fractional currency.

Breezy, Blue Skies in Memphis!

Submitted by Pierre Fricke on

June 7-10 2012

I always like going to Memphis as it remains the largest gathering of paper money aficionados anywhere. The 2012 International Paper Money Show was no exception albeit with somewhat subdued numbers of people this year. I’m not quite sure why, but perhaps it was the escalating airfare or perhaps the entrance to the show fees of $7 / day or $20 / show. Certainly the latter kept casual people out that might be beginners – they may not spend a lot of money, but I and some dealers do carry $10, $15 and $20 stuff in addition to the four and five figure material.

NEW Confederate Paper Money Book with DVD!

Submitted by Pierre Fricke on
History of Collecting Confederate States of America Paper Money - 1865-1945 by Pierre Fricke and Fred Reed See http://www.csaquotes.com/csabooks.html Pierre Fricke and Fred Reed announce the publication of History of Collecting Confederate States of America Paper Money – Volume 1, 1865 to 1945. With 340 pages of well-illustrated stories and history, this book is a must for anyone interested in collecting Confederate paper money, Southern history, or coin and paper money collecting.

How the Confederacy Provided Paper for Union Banknotes

Submitted by Benny Bolin on
Many of the second and third issue fractional currency proofs as well as some of the regular issue fractional currency notes are printed on paper watermarked "CSA." How did this paper, the same type that had previously been used by Keating and Ball to print $10 Confederate notes in 1861 and $100 notes in 1862 come to the BEP. The story begins at high tide on September 28, 1861, a dark and moonless night. A steamship, the "BERMUDA," neared the darkened coast of Savannah, Georgia.

Gold equivalency of US dollar now equals value of Confederate Currency on eve of General Lee’s Surrender

Submitted by Pierre Fricke on
In the past year, an ounce of gold has crossed the $1,500 threshold and has hit new records, approaching $2,000 at one point. Believe it or not, in terms of gold equivalency, the US dollar is now worth less than the value of $1 Confederate on the eve of General Lee’s surrender in the Civil War. Ben Bernanke may not be worried about inflation, but the South experienced a nasty bout of hyperinflation with lingering effects due to its loose monetary policy.

A 1914 Non-Star Replacement Note?

Submitted by Shawn Hewitt on
Late last summer I embarked on a long day trip for the purpose of enjoying the country and making a few finds along the way. One stop took me to a Midwest coin shop that I had not visited before. Among the large type in the currency inventory I spotted a 1914 $10 Federal Reserve Note from the St. Louis district (Fr. 932) that had an odd look to it.