1862 Confederate States of America $100 Note

Own a Piece of Confederate History –
This $100 Greyback Helped Fund the Civil War.

Now you can own the currency that helped fund the southern rebellion.  This Confederate States of America note, known as a “Greyback,” is a valuable part of America’s story.  It can become a showpiece of your collection. 

The $100 note was...  more

Own a Piece of Confederate History –
This $100 Greyback Helped Fund the Civil War.

Now you can own the currency that helped fund the southern rebellion.  This Confederate States of America note, known as a “Greyback,” is a valuable part of America’s story.  It can become a showpiece of your collection. 

The $100 note was printed in 1862 by J. T. Patterson & Co. of Columbia, South Carolina.  It pictures a train, a symbol of the South’s industry.  A milkmaid is featured on the left.  The back of the note has three stamps indicating interest had been paid on the note.

The story behind Confederate Notes:

Shortly before the Civil War began, the Confederate States of America began printing currency to pay for the war.  Without being backed by something valuable, such as silver or gold, the currency was more like a loan to the government.  On each note was the promise the amount would be paid “six months after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederates States and the United States.”  As the war progressed and the Confederacy lost ground, the time was extended from six months to two years.

There were few engravers and printers in the south, and printing facilities were rare as well.  This made producing Confederate bank notes difficult.  There was also no consistent theme to the images.  Some pictured statesmen or mythological gods, others showed naval ships or trains.  Some notes included depictions of slaves.

When the Confederacy began issuing currency, each note was signed by the country’s Register and Treasurer.  As the number of bills increased, this became unreasonable, so clerks were hired to sign “for Register” or “for Treasurer.”

Because there was no backing for the Confederate notes, their value declined as the tide of the Civil War turned against the fledgling nation.  In addition, the Union printed counterfeit notes and distributed them in the South, which caused inflation and a rise in prices.  This led to further decrease in value of Confederate “Greybacks,” as they were called.  By late 1864, one Confederate dollar was worth three cents in gold.  By the time the Confederacy surrendered, and the Civil War ended, the country’s currency was worthless. 

While most southerners got rid of their currency because it had lost all value, some held on to it.  They have been preserved from destruction for more than 150 years.  Today, these reminders of a bygone era are scarce and valuable.  Now you can own this little piece of history.  Order this Confederate note today.