Confederate paper currency, 1863.

C0055_Bx8_F11_Confederate_frontThe Confederate treasury issued over a billion dollars in paper currency to finance the Civil War. Because it lacked gold and silver reserves, almost all bills, like the $100 bill displayed here, promised to pay the bearer only after war’s end. This bill presents an idealized vision of slavery, at top, and former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), at bottom. Gift of Mrs. George W. Martin. Throop and Martin Family Papers, Manuscripts Division.

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