Original Civil War-Era Confederate Currency | February 17, 1864 | Virginia State Capitol | C. G. Memminger Portrait | Blue Ornamental Reverse
 
Offered for sale is a historical Five-Dollar Confederate States of America Treasury Note, dated February 17, 1864, and issued under the authority of the Confederate government during the American Civil War.
 
Identified as Criswell Type T-69, this banknote features an engraved illustration of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, accompanied by a portrait of Christopher Gustavus Memminger, who served as the Confederacy's first Secretary of the Treasury.
 
The front incorporates elaborate nineteenth-century typography, ornamental denomination panels, handwritten treasury signatures, and a distinctive architectural vignette. The reverse displays an intricate blue geometric design, with the word "FIVE" prominently centered and the numeral "5" positioned within decorative medallions at all four corners.
 
This surviving example exhibits noticeable evidence of circulation, handling, and age, including paper discoloration, folds, edge wear, tears, and localized paper losses. Despite these condition issues, both sides retain their recognizable original designs.
 
The accompanying photographs are actual high-resolution scans of the exact banknote offered for sale.
 
Historical Background
 
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), the Confederate States of America issued paper treasury notes to finance government operations, military expenditures, and other wartime obligations.
 
The February 17, 1864 currency issue was introduced during a period of increasing financial instability, widespread inflation, and declining confidence in Confederate money.
This five-dollar note belongs to the final major Confederate currency issue, authorized approximately one year before the collapse of the Confederacy.
 
The central engraving depicts the Virginia State Capitol, which served as the meeting place of the Confederate Congress during the war.
 
The building was designed by Thomas Jefferson, making the note particularly interesting to collectors of American architecture and political history.
 
The portrait at the lower right depicts Christopher Gustavus Memminger (1803–1888), who served as Confederate Secretary of the Treasury from 1861 until 1864.
 
The note contains a printed promise to pay the bearer five dollars two years after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States.
 
No such treaty was ratified, and Confederate currency ultimately became obsolete following the Confederacy's defeat in 1865.
 
Today, surviving notes are collected as historical artifacts documenting nineteenth-century American economic history and the financial consequences of the Civil War.
 
Design Features
 
Obverse – Front
Denomination: Five Dollars ($5).
Issuing authority: Confederate States of America.
Issue date: February 17, 1864.
Place of issue: Richmond, Virginia.
Central engraving: Virginia State Capitol, Richmond.
Portrait: Christopher Gustavus Memminger, Confederate Secretary of the Treasury.
Left denomination panel: Large vertically arranged "FIVE" inscription.
Upper-right denomination: Ornamental numeral "5" surrounded by engraved decorative patterns.
Central inscription: "The Confederate States of America."
Payment obligation: Printed promise to pay the bearer five dollars under the specified treaty-of-peace conditions.
Treasury signatures: Handwritten-style signatures along the lower portion of the note.
Series designation: Printed letter "B" visible on the front.
Serial number: Handwritten number at the upper right, appearing to read 93529; requires verification under magnification.
Printer's inscription: Keatinge & Ball, Columbia, South Carolina.
 
Reverse – Back
 
The reverse displays an elaborate blue engraved composition featuring:
Large central "FIVE" inscription in decorative lettering.
Four circular denomination medallions displaying the numeral "5."
Intricate repeating geometric patterns.
Fine-line ornamental engraving.
Symmetrical decorative elements along the upper and lower borders.
Predominantly blue printing on aged paper.
 
The reverse design remains substantially visible despite discoloration, folds, and age-related wear.