Authentic Script?

[JCbluegrassrifles]

I'm interested in picking up a wallet from Skillet Licker which brings up the question of script. First and foremost, I predominantly portray Confederate which, to my understanding, most were not paid monthly. The question being, how much would be appropriate to carry? Second, I've seen script along the sutlers row, but most of which is not double-sided. Where would be a good source to look for authentic looking script? I would be most obliged for any input on the subject.

[ephraim_zook]

The website of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has 21 confederate bills exhibited and of them, only 9 are double-sided. Possession of single-sided confederate bills would not be inauthentic as long as you have copies of the bills that were single-sided to begin with. One-sided northern bills are not all that uncommon, either, especially if they were issued by banks, railroad companies, etc. One of the reasons that "greenbacks" acquired their nickname was from the novelty of being printed on the reverse, too, using green ink. Check out the SFO Fed Reserve site below -- a few nice examples of fractional currency there, too.

http://www.frbsf.org/currency/civilwar/confederate/index.html

regards
Ron Myzie


I'm interested in picking up a wallet from Skillet Licker which brings up the question of script. First and foremost, I predominantly portray Confederate which, to my understanding, most were not paid monthly. The question being, how much would be appropriate to carry? Second, I've seen script along the sutlers row, but most of which is not double-sided. Where would be a good source to look for authentic looking script? I would be most obliged for any input on the subject.

[C.R. Henderson]

Was thinking about this today and figured I'd move it up to 2007. If you have a decent color printer and the know how to use a paint or photo center program, you can make some decent forgeries. There are several websites that have state currencies and fractiona notes from Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and the rest of the southern states and from many private firms, banks, and even postage stamps. As long as you carry bills appropriate for the impression being portrayed you can up your game a little by carrying and even gambling away your hard copied cash.

How many of you out there carry repro cash?

[Hank Trent]

As far as how much to carry, you can go with a generic $5 or $10, but like anything else, it's fun to research it for the specific situation whenever possible. Soldiers often mentioned when they were paid, in diaries and letters. I did an event as a member of the First Georgia Regulars being chased by Sherman in the last days of the war, and though they had no rations--the men were angry a warehouse with food had been fired to keep it from Sherman before issueing it to the men--they'd just been paid something like six months back pay, so I had an empty haversack and over $100 cash.

Something I'm curious about: For Confederate impressions, what was the most common way of making change under a dollar? In the north, stamps or postal currency are the simplest typical solution nationwide, but for Confederates, what was most common? State fractional currency varying by region? CS stamps?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[pvt_jb]

Below is a link to Sullivan Press. Near the bottom you will find CS postage stamps and CS currency. Mr. Sullivan also mentions in his description of the CS currency that his reproductions are one sided. Good luck with your research.

http://www.sullivanpress.com/Civil_war.htm

[tomarch]

I've got an original fractional currency note issued by the town of Lewisburg, VA from Nov. '61 It was printed on blue lined stationary with an assenblage of more or less patriotic emblems that the town printer probably had on stock. When I get a moment I'll scan it and post it here...

[tsgalloway]

Cody Mobley carries a some state currency on his website. I know he has more than shown. I believe he prints it on vellum. Here's the link: http://companytailor.googlepages.com/instock!

[maineman]

Here is an EBAY purchase, a fractional 10 cent note from Montgomery,Alabama circa 1863. No printing on reverse, so easy to reproduce.

[HighPrvt]

How many of you out there carry repro cash?

I carry my gambling winning wrapped around my hymnal.
I give copies to kids at LHs, they get a real kick out of getting some Confederate currency.

[Becky Morgan]

We have three original notes from the wallet of John Thompson, the only Confederate from our little town. Only one is printed on the back.

[C.R. Henderson]

I've been doing web "research" hunting for any image of Confederate bills I can find and download. To date, I've got quite a few. I've found most to only be printed on one side and a very few (mostly Richmond issue) to be printed on both sides. I'll attempt to attach a pic of a few of my repros. I have also found several images of US bills and have the images to repro those for when I do Fed. Federal bills, from what I have found, were printed on both sides. The green bill is a US $10 issued Aug 10, 1861.

[C.R. Henderson]

Also, here's an original Columbus Armory 50 cent note next to one that I have reproduced on my computer within the last week.

[Chuck A Luck]

I carry some good 'repro' cash with me all the time. It doesn't do to lay out a Chuck-a-luck board if you don't have some funds in the bank! Here are some good sites I've found that show period currency:

This one has good images of Confederate bills, some front & back:
http://www.crutchwilliams.com/CSAimages.htm

This Bureau of Engraving & Printing site has very nice pictures of the front & back of some of the 1860's-era fractional currency:
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/section.cfm/5/60

This website also features a variety of paper currency, both US and CS...
http://www.kcshop.com/papermoney/Default.htm

[CSchneider]

Paid for a chicken at BGR with copies of Louisiana script found on this page:

http://www.rrcoins.net/obsolete_la_cont_.htm

They've got some usable stuff from other states as well.

-Craig Schneider

[styler]

Shakespeare's plays would be authentic.



Searching scrip "civil war" on Google brought up some pretty cool examples of originals, especially some merchant (vice bank or state) scrip.

[DougCooper]

The single best repro cash in the hobby today is made by Richard Sullivan of the Lazy Jacks. You can reach him through Patrick Reardon - "Tarheel" on this board. We never go to an event with the LJ's without some superb script - BGR being no exception, with Bank of Shreveport notes.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

I've starting working in photoshop to reproduce varying C.S. currency...I have some fair images cleaned up now, but I am in need of some dimensions. I know that varying bills differed in size, as I have an 1862 $0.50 note from Richmond, VA that measures about 2.5in x 4.5in, while a friend of mine has an 1862 $1.00 nore from Richmond that measures about 3in x 7 in.

Thanks for the help,

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04
23rd VA Regt.

[ohpkirk]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/codymobley/10ct.jpg

This is some fractional US currency I have made for when me and my messmates are playing cards, etc. in static camps.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/codymobley/bills-2.jpg

This is some more TMD specific currency, the top one is a Citizens State Bank note from Louisiana that has been repro'd off of an uncirculated one in my collection. The bottom one is a State of Louisiana bank note that has been printed on the reverse of obsolete Arkansas notes which I have found to be a common practice of the time especially in Texas and Louisiana.