1861 50c The Mechanics' Savings and Loan Association - GEORGIA (CTFT.) Note
1861 50c The Mechanics' Savings and Loan Association (CTFT.) note from Savannah, Georgia.
This Civil War era CTFT. was printed by Samuel C. Upham of Philadelphia.
Upham owned a store in Philadelphia where he sold cosmetics, drugs, stationery, and newspapers. When the Civil War hit, he came up with a new business idea. Many customers in the Union states were curious about Confederate money and Southern banks so he began to print notes such as this one to sell, showing people what Southern currency was like. Many of these notes found their way South and passed as genuine, further destabilizing the Confederate's financial system. What began as a souvenir for the North was quickly becoming a problem for the South. Confederate President Jefferson Davis even put a bounty on Samuel Upham's head for $10,000. By mid 1863, Confederate finances were in such a mess that even genuine notes began to lose all value. After the war, Upham was quite proud of the contribution he made to the Union victory. After the war, Upham went back to selling stationery and newspapers. Today, Upham's souvenir printings are prized collectibles! Upham passed away on June 29, 1885 at the age of 56.
At the upper left is a representation of the reverse side of a Seated Liberty Half Dollar. A small chest Vignette is seen at the bottom.
This CTFT. grades Very Fine / Extremely Fine.
It measures ~ 4.75" x 2.25".
1861 50c The Mechanics' Savings and Loan Association (CTFT.) note from Savannah, Georgia.
This Civil War era CTFT. was printed by Samuel C. Upham of Philadelphia.
Upham owned a store in Philadelphia where he sold cosmetics, drugs, stationery, and newspapers. When the Civil War hit, he came up with a new business idea. Many customers in the Union states were curious about Confederate money and Southern banks so he began to print notes such as this one to sell, showing people what Southern currency was like. Many of these notes found their way South and passed as genuine, further destabilizing the Confederate's financial system. What began as a souvenir for the North was quickly becoming a problem for the South. Confederate President Jefferson Davis even put a bounty on Samuel Upham's head for $10,000. By mid 1863, Confederate finances were in such a mess that even genuine notes began to lose all value. After the war, Upham was quite proud of the contribution he made to the Union victory. After the war, Upham went back to selling stationery and newspapers. Today, Upham's souvenir printings are prized collectibles! Upham passed away on June 29, 1885 at the age of 56.
At the upper left is a representation of the reverse side of a Seated Liberty Half Dollar. A small chest Vignette is seen at the bottom.
This CTFT. grades Very Fine / Extremely Fine.
It measures ~ 4.75" x 2.25".
1861 50c The Mechanics' Savings and Loan Association (CTFT.) note from Savannah, Georgia.
This Civil War era CTFT. was printed by Samuel C. Upham of Philadelphia.
Upham owned a store in Philadelphia where he sold cosmetics, drugs, stationery, and newspapers. When the Civil War hit, he came up with a new business idea. Many customers in the Union states were curious about Confederate money and Southern banks so he began to print notes such as this one to sell, showing people what Southern currency was like. Many of these notes found their way South and passed as genuine, further destabilizing the Confederate's financial system. What began as a souvenir for the North was quickly becoming a problem for the South. Confederate President Jefferson Davis even put a bounty on Samuel Upham's head for $10,000. By mid 1863, Confederate finances were in such a mess that even genuine notes began to lose all value. After the war, Upham was quite proud of the contribution he made to the Union victory. After the war, Upham went back to selling stationery and newspapers. Today, Upham's souvenir printings are prized collectibles! Upham passed away on June 29, 1885 at the age of 56.
At the upper left is a representation of the reverse side of a Seated Liberty Half Dollar. A small chest Vignette is seen at the bottom.
This CTFT. grades Very Fine / Extremely Fine.
It measures ~ 4.75" x 2.25".