0 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 6A, Ball 3

Description

0 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 6A, Ball 3
Offered for your consideration is a 0 bond issued by the Confederate States of America under the Act of February 28
th
1861. It was listed by the late Grover Criswell as Cr. 6A and by the late Dr. Douglas Ball as B. 3. The central vignette features a well-executed design depicting two seated female figures, one representing Commerce and the other Agriculture (Ceres). Also included in the vignette are a factory, shield, fasces, ships, cotton bale, and a sheaf of wheat, all associated with the two principal figures. Printed immediately above, in an arc, is
“Confederate States of America”
, as well as the statement that this
“LOAN OF FIFTEEN MILLIONS, UNDER ACT OF CONGRESS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA”
, with the national name being prominently displayed
. Below the vignette is a lengthy financial obligation, executed in a lovely italic script, which states that “
On the First Day of September, 1871. 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 …
”. It further states that
“… a duty of One Eighth of One cent per Pound shall be levied on all Cotton in the raw state exported from the Confederate States, and have pledged the same to be applied as a Sinking Fund, to the extinguishment of the said debt … that at any time after the Expiration of Five Years from the First day of September, 1861, the Confederate States may pay and discharge this Bond … upon giving Three months previous Public notice …”
. It was signed and sealed at
“… Montgomery, this
First
day of May 1861 …”
by
“Alex. B. Clitherall”
in his capacity as the
“Register of the Treasury”
. A second, smaller vignette, depicting a cotton plant, can be seen at the bottom. A decorative double line border encloses the above elements, neatly separating them from the 14 remaining interest coupons. Each coupon is valued at
“FOUR DOLLARS”
and is hand-signed by
“N. L. Ferguson”
, an employee in the Confederate Treasury.  In common with most government bonds of this era, the reverse of this piece is blank. This bond was printed on two distinct types of paper, a thick white bond stock and a high quality paper with red silk fibers scattered throughout (the presently offered example is one of the latter issues). Confederate financial records indicate that approximately 4,700 bonds were originally issued, though how many have been destroyed through the intervening 150+ years is unknown. The presently offered specimen would be a great addition to any Confederate currency or general Civil War collection, or matted and framed for display in an office or den.
Alexander B. Clitherall
was the first Register of the Confederate Treasury, serving from February, 1861 through July of that same year. In the latter month, the government moved to Richmond, Virginia, but Clitherall, being a native Alabamian, chose to resign rather than transfer to the new location. He subsequently held a number of minor state offices during and after the war.
The presently offered bond exhibits signs of period use and subsequent long-term storage.
Very light toning is present across the entire surface, imparting an off-white appearance to the piece, with the edges being slightly darker (particularly visible on the back). Several small foxing spots are noted for accuracy, as most of these are light and confined to the selvage. Light soiling is also noted, mostly confined to the edges and along the fold lines. In common with virtually all documents of this type, numerous horizontal and vertical folds are present (these folds occurred when the bonds were placed in safes or the cubbyholes of desks). Several of these folds have weakened the overall integrity of the paper, with some small holes along the fold lines and at the junctions of the folds. Significant wrinkling is noted at the edges, partially a result of the type of paper used in the production. The edges are somewhat irregular, though this is as much a result of the paper as it is in the cutting. The denomination, serial number, and maturity date are penciled on the back, probably contemporary with the issuance of the bond (the back would be the outside when folded for storage, saving the trouble of opening the bond). An attractive piece with overall pleasant eye appeal. A great item to frame and display in an office or den.
A .95 charge 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 regarding this item, please ask before bidding.
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