Description of a C.S.A. Note

There are generally two different styles and three different sizes of Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) Notes. Most CSA notes are similar to the one shown here. All but 7 of the notes measure approximately 3 and 1/8 inches high by 7 and 1/4 inches long. The two 50 cents notes are approximately 2 and 1/4 inches high by 4 and 1/4 inches long. Types 38, 42, 43, 44, and 45 (all 1861 and 1862 $1 and $2 notes) measure approximately 2 and 3/4 inches high by 6 inches long.

Issues

There were seven different issues of Confederate Currency. The first was on March 9, 1861 and the last on February 17, 1864. The different denominations are $1000, $500, $100, $50, $20, $10, $5, $2, $1, and 50 cents.

Signatures

The 50 cents notes all have printed signatures like the one shown here. The printed signatures are always "Ro. Tyler" and "El Elmore". The other notes all have the Genuine Signatures of the Register and Treasurer of the CSA. These signatures are from various people working for the respective organizations. 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 Notes have serial numbers in one or two places on the note. The serial numbers are either stamped or hand written. The color of the ink may or may not be the same color as the signatures.

Paper

All of the 50 cents notes and some of the lower denomination notes use a pink colored paper. The other notes all use a white paper but depending on condition, may have turned a darker color due to handling and aging. Some paper may have watermarks such as CSA in either block or script letters. Other notes may have colored threads in them.

Backs

All 1861 Notes have blank backs. Most of the 1862 Notes also have blank backs. Those issued on Dec. 2, 1862 ($5 and up) have a blue printed back. The same is true for 1863 and 1864. The 1864 $500 is also blank on the back.