In the April of 1861, two months after the formation of the United States Confederacy, the Confederate States of America Dollar was released into circulation.

The banknotes came in many different designs and were released in $1/10, $1/2, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000 amounts. The bills were printed from 1861 to 1865, totaling $1.7 billion. There were 72 different types of notes printed in seven series during this time.

In the beginning, the Confederate money was admitted in the South as valuable, but as the war continued, more paper money was printed and the dates on which it able to be redeemed kept getting longer into the future. Inflation went through the roof and the money's value kept going down. It got so bad that by the end of the Civil War, the money was almost worthless.

Due to the few amount of proficient printers, engravers, and safe places to print in the South, the designs of the early Confederate currency were not correlated to each other very well. Some of the notes had pictures of greek gods and goddesses while other more southern themes showed African-American serfs, state capitols and ships, and people of historical importance, like "Stonewall" Jackson or George Washington. Other people who were pictured on later Confederate States of America money were Alexander Stephens, George Randolph, Jefferson Davis, and Lucy Pickens.

Because of banks and states being able to print their own notes and the many different variations of notes counterfeiting of Confederate currency was very common. These counterfeits were worthless at the time but now they are valuable and can be worth as much as official Confederate States of America paper money.

To prevent counterfeiting, most of the Confederate bills were hand signed by Register Robert Tyler and Treasurer Edward C. Elmore. This did not go on for long as it was impossible for both men to sign each and every note printed at the time. Instead, women were hired to sign for the Register and for the Treasurer and over time both Tyler and Elmore hired 200 women to sign the bills for them.

50x 1861 CONFEDERATE HALF DOLLAR 5c SILVER COINS REPLICA    US $149.95

100x 1861 CONFEDERATE HALF DOLLAR SILVER COINS REPLICA    US $249.95

1864 Confederate USA 100 One Hundred Dollar Bill Civil War Confederate Money    US $53.00

One of the most common hobbies is collecting money. Many people have enjoyed this activity for decades and money collecting is thriving even today. As a hobby, collecting money means collecting old money. Otherwise, we are all trying to collect money before the bills come. However, do you know how many people collect old money, antique notes and coins from previous decades and even centuries?Coin collectors are much more common than old money collectors of the paper variety, though the latter are still quite active and manage to find some rare items occasionally. That paper variety may include pre US colonial currency, money from the beginning of the 19th century, currency from the Confederate States of America and also some souvenir cards of old money as the money itself are almost impossible to find and twice as hard to purchase.

If you are keen on collecting old money you will probably know that a collector's item of old money is called fractional currency. I was really intrigued when I learnt that during the Civil War the United States began printing 50 cents, 25 cents, 15 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents paper money as they run short on change. Now such weird banknotes are highly desired by any true collector.

There is also other interesting fractional currency which is much sought after. These are private banknotes from the 1800s. Before the US government created a national banknote there were some banks issuing their own money without government backing. However, it was not long before these banks were closed down and the banknotes were counterfeited and altered.

Once the national bank system was established, privately issued bank money was declared to be illegal. Ever since US government money was issued it has retained monetary value. However, it is not the same case with the obsolete old bills from closed banks and this is the prime reason why these banknotes are worth finding. Actually private banknotes from the 1800s have remained an interesting item for collectors throughout the centuries.

It is pretty evident that a lot of old money has significant value nowadays. It is true that casual collectors cannot afford to have any authentic old money and notes from the 1800s and early 1900s as their value and consequently price are too high. That's how collecting souvenir cards are becoming more and more popular. Having them you can collect a piece of history without actually paying a high price for it.

If you are wondering where you can find old money, you probably won't like my answer. It is really difficult to find old money. Of course, you might still be able to collect a Thomas Jefferson two dollar bill, but those antique coins and notes you are seeking won't be easily found, nor purchased. The easiest way to satisfy your desire to collect old money is through dealers, collectors, auctions and old money paper shows.

You might also find the International Bank Note Society's Journal and webpage not only very interesting but useful, as well. They offer contact information for trades and auctions and what is the best, they provide you with images of old currency on their website. In conclusion, old money collecting is a unique and fun hobby. It has its challenges but it there is no doubt it is worth taking.

About the Author

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning credit. Learn more at Collecting Old Money

Collecting cash is a well-established hobby and has been enjoyed by numerous people for decades. That is, collecting old money. We all collect money-or at least try to before bills come in-but how many of us collect money, the antique range from previous decades or even centuries?

Old money collectors of the paper variety, even though not fairly as common as coin collectors, still are active and manage to find some rare items from time to time. This variety could include pre US colonial currency, obsolete money from the 1800s, currency from the Confederate States of America, and souvenir cards of older money that's too rare to actually find and purchase.

One such collector's item in older money is called fractional currency. During and after the Civil War, the United States began to run short on change so started printing paper money worth less than a dollar. 50 cents, 25 cents, 15 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents were all denominations printed because of the lack of coins. They are presently much sought after collectibles.

Another interesting type of money to consider: private banknotes from the 1800's. Before the US government created a national banknote, many private banks issued their own paper money without government backing. These banks eventually closed and those banknotes were counterfeited and altered. When the national bank system was created, privately issued bank money was excessively taxed to the point of being outlawed. While US government money has always retained monetary value, obsolete old bills from closed banks are worth nothing. Yet, they remain an interesting collector's item.

Obviously a lot of old money is very expensive in this day and age. Authentic old money and notes from the 1800's and early 1900s are for the most part out of the price spectrum of casual collectors. This is why collecting souvenir cards are becoming popular as you can collect a piece of history without paying an astronomical price.

Where can you find this type of money? It's not an easy task. While you still might be able to collect a Thomas Jefferson 2 dollar bill, the really unique old money collectibles cannot and will not be easily found or purchased. The finest route to find older money nowadays is through dealers, collectors, auctions and old money paper shows.

One useful contact would be the International Bank Note Society's journal and webpage which offer not only contact information for trades and auctions, but also let's you preview images of old currency on their website. Old money collecting is a unique and interesting hobby. More fun than it's really worth in dollar amount.

Mitch Hampson writes for
Auctions

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