Obsolete Currency

From the latter part of the 1700’s through the early 1870’s obsolete currency (often referred to as Broken Bank Notes) came from many sources, i.e.; States, Counties, Municipalities, Military, Banks, Corporations, and Private Merchants. Most people don’t realize that before the U.S. Government started regulating the banking industry in 1861, the aforementioned entities printed their own money, providing collectors with many different themes and varieties. There are many types and choices -- collectors can focus on notes with a certain vignette (picture or scene), a particular State, City, or Bank. Some collectors focus on notes with bridges, signatures, cattle, horses, whales, or ships, etc, and yes, even Santa Claus! Obsolete bank notes are absolutely beautiful in artistic design and coloring. Depending on the grade (condition) many of these types can be fairly inexpensive and are readily available. Every paper money collector should have at least one piece of obsolete currency in their collection! There are many different references for individual states currency and they can be found online from various publishers and book dealers. For Southern States currency, I highly recommend “Guide Book of Southern States Currency” by Hugh Shull, published by Whitman Publishing Company.

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