Southern State Issued Currency of Alabama

Southern State Issued Currency of Alabama During the Civil War

On January 11, 1861, Alabama became the 4th State to secede from the Union. Montgomery was the first capital of the newly formed Confederate States of America. During the Civil War the State of Alabama issued three separate issues of currency beginning in 1863. The first issue notes were uniface fractional notes and $1 notes bearing the date of January 1st, 1863. All of these notes were accepted for payment of all public dues but were redeemable only in Confederate Treasury Notes and only when presented at the State Treasury in sums of $20 or more. The second issue notes were dated January 1st, 1864 and were issued in denominations of $100, $50, $10, and $5. This issue was not only accepted as payment on all public dues, but could be used to pay all taxes, however, the state held the option to choose whether to redeem the notes for Confederate States Treasury notes or for 5% state bonds. All second issue notes with the exception of the $100 and $50 notes are uniface. The $100 and $50 notes have ornate backs. The third and final issue notes were undated and only issued in a $50 denomination. It is believed that these notes were issued in either late 1864 or early 1865. This issue was only redeemable for Confederate States Treasury notes that had been issued after February 17, 1864. State of Alabama issued a total of $7,542,680.00 in notes during the War.

First Issue Notes - 1863

5 Cent Fractional Note featuring a cotton boll

10 Cent Fractional Note featuring the map of Alabama nailed to a tree

25 Cent Fractional Note with wagon of cotton

50 Cent Fractional Note with portrait of Juliet Hopkins, who established hospitals during the Civil War for wounded Alabama soldiers

$1 Note with the Capitol in Montgomery and a portrait of Governor John Shorter, the second of Alabama's three Civil War Governors

Second Issue Notes - 1864