Faced with severe hoarding of coinage during the Civil War, the Federal government was forced to issue small change paper money, known as "Fractional Currency" to alleviate the situation. Several different series of notes were issued between 1862 and 1876, all in denominations less than one dollar.
From the first issue of Postage Currency, so named because of the postage stamp designs, to the odd 3 Cent note (issued because the cost to mail a letter was 3c) and the unusual 15 Cent note, Fractional Currency is a fascinating and affordable way to collect early U.S. paper money. This field has enjoyed great popularity in recent years and continues to amaze generations of collectors.
Straight Edges. Without Monogram. A fresh appearance and well centered.
Wide Margins Specimen. Back. Comment: Tears.
Surcharge "18-63".
Surcharge "18-63" and "1". Well centered on both sides with strong color, sharp bronzing, and bright paper. Very eye appealing.
Fiber paper with surcharges '18-63 & T-1'. A bright and fresh appearance. Very scarce and desirable.
Green Reverse. Rich color, bright paper, and great borders provide excellent eye appeal.
Well centered on both sides and nice eye appeal.
Watermarked paper. 40mm seal. Sheet Number Included. Bright and very well centered with plenty of eye appeal. The plate number, 10, can be seen in red towards the lower left on the front and is normally confined to the margins when found.
Green Seal. A pleasing note with strong color and bright paper.
Short Thick Key. Red Seal. Portrait of William Meredith. Well centered inks rest upon original paper.
F-1272spwmb. Wide Margins Specimen. Green Back. Vivid inking with a sprinkle of extra green ink around the edges of the design. Well centered and bright paper.
Watermarked Paper. 40mm Seal. Well centered with strong color and crisp original paper.
Wide Margins Specimen. Back. Comments: Closed Pinholes, Discoloration.
Surcharge "18-63". Very well centered in both the margins and the bronzing. Strong eye appeal.
Wide Margins Specimen. Back. Comments: Corner Damage, Foreign Substance.
Dark Background. An attractive note with strong color and bright paper.
Perforated Edges. With ABNCo. Monogram. An attractive note that exhibits strong color and fresh paper.
Surcharge "18-63" and "S". Nicely centered for the grade with strong color and fresh paper.
An attractive note that exhibits strong inks, solid bronzing, and fresh paper.