Description of a C.S.A. Bond

There are generally two different styles of Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) Bonds. Although they are all generally called bonds, there are really bonds and certificates. The major difference is that bonds have coupons attached at the bottom and certificates do not. This picture show a bond with some of the coupons still attached. This bond measures approximately 14 inches wide by 14 inches high. Without the coupons attached, it is approximately 10 and 1/2 inches high. Certificates are approximately 14 inches wide by 10 and 1/2 inches high.

Denominations

The most common denominations for bonds and certificates are $50, $100, $500, and $1,000. There are many other deminations including $5000 and $10000, L100, L200, L500, L1000 (English) Pounds, F2500, F5000, F12500, and F25000 (french) Francs. In addition to these, there were also many certificates with written amounts that go up to $100,000.

Coupons

Issues

There were 13 official issues of Confederate Bonds.

Signatures

Each bond or certificate either had two signatures and 1 set of initials or 1 signature and 2 sets of initials. The signature or initial on the left is from the person who "entered" the bond. The initials underneath on the left is from the person who "recorded" the bond in the treasury books, and the signature on the right is from the "Register of the Treasury". The signature on the right is sometimes "Ro. Tyler" who was the son of John Tyler, 10th President of the United States. All bonds and certificates have Genuine Signatures . In addition, the coupons are also signed. The ink used is very corrosive and generally has eaten into the paper over the last 130 years. It usually looks medium to dark brown in color and may have gone completely through to the back.

Serial Numbers

All bonds and certificates have serial numbers in usually two places. In addition, all bonds also have the serial numbers on each coupon. The serial numbers are usually hand written but some are stamped. The color of the ink may or may not be the same color as the signatures.

Paper

The paper used is usually white or brownish-pink. The white paper also comes in both thick and thin varieties. Some paper may have watermarks or colored threads in them. The waterwarked bonds are generally rare.

Backs

Nearly every bond and certificate has a blank back, however, there are a few exceptions. In addition, the backs were also used by CSA officers and some may have writing on the back which will give a little more history regarding that specific bond (and a higher collector value).