0 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 56, Ball 52

Description

0 Confederate States Coupon Bond – Criswell 56, Ball 52
Offered for your consideration is a 0 bond issued by the Confederate States of America under the Act of August 19, 1861. It was cataloged by the late Grover Criswell as Cr. 56 and by the late Dr. Douglas Ball as B. 52. The central vignette features a well-executed design depicting a female warrior, clad in an armor breastplate and helmet, standing upon a slain king. In her left hand (the viewer’s right) she holds a spear, while her right hand grasps an unsheathed sword. A ribbon at the bottom bears the inscription
“SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS”
, a Latin phrase meaning “Thus Always to Tyrants” (John Wilkes Booth reportedly spoke these words after shooting Abraham Lincoln). A variation of this vignette is used on the seal of Virginia, probably accounting for its use on this bond. Printed immediately above is the country of issue, as well as the authorizing authority. Below the vignette is a lengthy financial obligation, executed in a lovely italic script. According to this obligation, “
On the first day of July 1868, The Confederate States of America, will pay to the Bearer of this Bond … the sum of FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, with interest thereon from this date … at the rate of Eight per cent, per annum …
”
. It further states that
“… This debt is authorized by an act of Congress … entitled, ‘An Act to Authorize the issue of Treasury Notes, and to provide a War tax for their redemption …”.
It was signed and sealed at
“… Richmond, this
20
day of
Mar.
186
2
…”
by
“Ro. Tyler”
in his capacity as the
“Register of the Treasury”
. A highly ornate, decorative border encloses the foregoing elements, neatly separating them from the 7 remaining interest coupons. Each coupon is valued at
“Twenty Dollars”
and is hand-signed by
“R. J. Nelson”
, an employee in the Confederate Treasury. In common with most government bonds of this era, the reverse of this piece is blank. Confederate financial records indicate that 957 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, especially with its noted rarity.
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.
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 somewhat darker. Light soiling is also noted, mostly confined to the edges and along the fold lines. Small foxing spots and light stains are scattered throughout the design, as are several small pinholes (the largest of these is to the viewer’s left of the central vignette). Many bonds of this type were cut or printed with little selvage, with the presently offered example exhibiting that trait (there is however enough for the bond to be nicely matted for framing). In common with virtually all documents of this type, numerous multi-directional folds are present (many of these folds occurred when the bonds were placed in safes or the cubbyholes of desks). Some of these folds have affected the overall integrity of the paper, though no paper loss is noted. The letters
“THA”
are written on the back, with the significance of these being unknown). A rarely encountered piece with overall pleasant eye appeal. Measuring approximately 11.50 x 14.00 inches (including the attached coupons), this would be a great item to frame and display in an office or den.
A charge of .95 for postage and insurance will be added to the sale.
If you have any questions concerning this item, please ask before purchasing.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA