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The $50 Confederate States of America (CSA) note issued in 1864 from Richmond, Virginia, is a historically compelling piece of American Civil War currency. As the Confederacy’s war efforts reached their final stages, this note was part of the last official currency series issued by the Confederate government. Printed during a time of increasing financial desperation and inflation, the 1864 $50 note reflects the challenges faced by the Southern states in financing the war and maintaining economic stability. The 1864 issue is widely regarded as one of the more artistic and better-produced notes of the Confederacy’s paper money, due to improvements in lithographic printing and a standardized format. Despite these aesthetic strides, the currency was essentially fiat and backed only by the Confederacy's promise to pay after a future victory—an event that never occurred. As such, these notes became worthless at the war’s end but survive as powerful relics of Confederate history and numismatic artifacts of the American Civil War.
The design of the 1864 $50 Confederate note is both elegant and symbolic. Dominating the center of the note is a finely engraved bust of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America, seated and shown in profile facing left. The portrait is framed in an oval medallion and flanked by decorative scrollwork. To the right of the portrait is a vivid red-orange “50” overprint, applied separately to deter counterfeiting and help quickly identify the denomination. The denomination “FIFTY DOLLARS” is printed in ornate typeface both across the bottom and within the body of the note, along with “CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA” and “Will pay to bearer.” The note includes the phrase “Six months after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States,” which underscores the contingent and speculative nature of its value. On the left side, there is an allegorical female figure representing Ceres, goddess of agriculture, holding a cornucopia and a sheaf of wheat—symbols of Southern agrarian prosperity. The serial number, date of issue, and signatures were handwritten, adding to each note’s individuality.
These notes were printed by Keatinge & Ball of Columbia, South Carolina, the primary engraver and printer for Confederate currency in the later stages of the war. The firm had improved upon earlier Confederate printing efforts, which had suffered from crude lithography and poor-quality paper. By 1864, Keatinge & Ball employed more refined engraving techniques and higher-quality paper, though the Confederacy still faced shortages of both ink and materials due to the Union blockade. The paper used was typically thin and often brittle, making it susceptible to tears, creasing, and staining over time. The 1864 $50 notes were part of the standardized seventh and final issue of Confederate currency, issued as authorized by the Confederate Congress on February 17, 1864. These notes helped replace older, heavily depreciated issues and aimed to restore public confidence, though by this point the Confederate financial system was essentially collapsing under the pressures of war and inflation.
The estimated number of $50 notes printed in the 1864 series was quite large, as the Confederacy was increasingly desperate to fund its war efforts. However, exact mintage figures are not known, as Confederate records were either destroyed or lost near the war's end. What is known is that millions of notes across all denominations were issued in 1864, contributing further to runaway inflation. By 1865, Confederate currency was almost worthless in daily commerce, and people often used notes for wallpaper, insulation, or novelty items. Nonetheless, because the 1864 notes were better produced and distributed late in the war, many examples survive today, albeit in well-worn condition. Surviving specimens can be found in varying states of preservation, with lower-grade examples remaining relatively affordable while higher-grade notes, especially those with vibrant red overprints and sharp signatures, command significant premiums among collectors.
The note in question here is graded in Good to Very Good (G-VG) condition, which is consistent with the heavy use and fragile nature of Confederate paper money. In this grade, the note will typically show substantial evidence of circulation and wear, including multiple creases, folds, and possible small tears or edge fraying. The paper may be limp from handling and age, with minor staining or discoloration expected. However, all design elements—including the central portrait, overprints, and text—remain intact and legible. The handwritten serial number, date, and signatures will be visible but may be faded or lightly smudged. The red “50” overprint, while perhaps subdued in color, should still be discernible. In short, a G-VG example provides a well-worn yet complete representation of the type and is highly collectible for those focused on historical significance rather than pristine condition.
Collectors value 1864 Confederate $50 notes for their direct connection to a pivotal moment in American history. These notes were issued during the final throes of the Confederacy, mere months before its eventual surrender in April 1865. As such, they reflect both the resilience and desperation of the Southern states during the Civil War’s closing stages. While they hold no monetary value today, their worth as historical and collectible items continues to grow. Each surviving note tells a story—not just of Southern finance, but of war, national division, and the broader struggle that defined the American 1860s. The portrait of Jefferson Davis, who was captured and imprisoned following the war, serves as a stark reminder of the Confederacy’s collapse and the human figures behind the conflict.
In addition to their historical appeal, the design and printing of the 1864 $50 notes are valued from an artistic perspective. The craftsmanship displayed in the engraving of Davis’s portrait, the allegorical figure, and the intricate borders shows a significant advancement over earlier Confederate notes, many of which featured crude or inconsistent imagery. The red overprint adds a visual element that makes the note easily identifiable and more aesthetically engaging. Even in G-VG condition, these features remain evident, giving collectors a solid sense of the note’s original appearance and its role in Confederate economic strategy. Some collectors even specialize exclusively in Confederate currency and seek one example of each major design type, with the 1864 $50 serving as a key and accessible entry in such collections.
The 1864 $50 Confederate note is cataloged as Criswell #66 and is one of the most frequently encountered notes from the final issue, though higher-grade examples are far less common. As a Richmond-issued note, it carries additional geographic context, since Richmond served as the capital of the Confederacy and the center of many military, political, and financial activities during the war. While most of the CSA’s earlier issues were printed across various locations including Montgomery and New Orleans, the 1864 issues were concentrated under more controlled and centralized production methods. This note, issued from the Confederacy’s heart, holds deeper regional and symbolic meaning, especially for Civil War historians and Southern collectors.
In conclusion, the $50 Confederate Note of 1864 from Richmond, Virginia in Good to Very Good condition is a poignant and evocative artifact from America’s Civil War. Despite its worn state, it retains critical features such as the portrait of Jefferson Davis, allegorical imagery, ornate script, and the famous red overprint. Printed during the Confederacy’s final months, this note serves as a testament to the Southern economy’s collapse and the broader turmoil of a nation at war with itself. Though it no longer holds face value, it remains a compelling collectible and a piece of tangible Civil War history, valued for its symbolism, artistry, and the powerful narrative it represents from a turbulent chapter in American life.
