That I'm locally known as a coin collector means I'm sometimes asked to ID some items. Often that includes older currency. Lacking reference sources for most currency, I generally have to make "best guesses". This item came to me recently from someone my wife knows asking for any info (and, of course, value). It's a ratty piece of Alabama currency and is way out of my league. There's a small note to the left of the image that appears to say "2nd SERIES". The back is blank. Can anyone give me more info about the note? Thanks for any help you can give me.
It seems to be Criswell #4, 4A, 4B, or 4C. Whether it is one of the first two or second two, depends on if that '2ND SERIES' is considered small or large letters. But more importantly: What color is that '50 Cts' overprint? My copy of 'Southern States Currency', Hugh Shull, says that the normal overprint color is blue, but there is also a green color overprint which is noted as 'Extremely Rare'. If this is the normal (blue) overprint, then values for 4 or 4B are $12 to $20 for average circulated grade, and this example is worse than that.
Thanks for your information. I figured in that shape it didn't have much value. But I'll pass the info on.
Can you clarify the color of the overprint? According to my book these are most all blue, but yours looks greenish in the scan, and a green overprint would likely be much more valuable (and more forgiving of the poor condition).
I had the same problem. I couldn't decide if the color was blue or green. So I looked around for a "white" light source - and found one. Now I'm confident the color is blue.
The portrait is Mrs. Juliet Opie Hopkins (who was instrumental in providing hospital and medical care and facilities for Southern troops during the war). Civil War issue dated 1 Jan 1863.
