Confederate States of America five dollar bill

Description: Confederate States of America five dollar bill featuring a central illustration of the Virginia State Capitol Building surrounded by woods and people walking. Surrounding the top of the image, typed in a half circle, is the inscription, [TWO YEARS AFTER THE RATIFICATION OF A TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE CONFEDERATE STATES & THE UNITED STATES]. The identifying number of the bill is printed and handwritten above, [No. / 27449]. Underneath the illustration, printed in large block letters is the inscription, [The Confederate States of America / WILL PAY / TO / Bearer / FIVE DOLLARS. / G / RICHMOND / 5 / February 17th 1864. The bottom is signed on the left by [B Clarke / for Register] and on the right by, [M Allen Nelson / for Treasurer]. Between the signatures are the engravers name, [Engraved by Keatinge & Ball, Columbia S.C]. The left edge of the currency has a border that is densely patterned surrounding the word, [FIVE] printed vertically. Along the inner edge of the border are the printers’ name, [Lithog by Evans & Cogswell.] On the right is a heavily decorated scalloped edge circle with the number [5] in the center. Below in an oval is a portrait of C.G. Memminger. The back of the note is all in blue ink. On each corner of the rectangular shape are decorative concentric designed circles with the number [5] in the center. The word [FIVE] is in bold lettering with horizontal stripes at the center of the note. The back has a lot of staining as well.

Place made: Richmond, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted: Richmond, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Topic: American South; Commerce; Government; Slavery; U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History & Culture