US Notes

Criswell catalog

The Mortar Firing at Fort Moultrie Vignette on 1860s Currency: Military Scenes in Wartime American Banknote Design

by

During the Civil War era, American banknote engravers drew on patriotic military imagery to inspire public confidence in paper currency, and few vignettes capture that spirit more vividly than the mortar-firing scene tied to Fort Moultrie. This deep dive explores the history, catalog specifics, and collecting significance of military imagery on 1860s American paper money.

Read More →

Confederate Currency: Why It Failed and What Collectors Look for Today

by

The Confederate States of America printed over $1.7 billion in paper currency between 1861 and 1865, creating one of history’s most dramatic monetary collapses. This guide explores the economic forces that doomed Confederate notes and explains exactly what serious collectors look for when building a meaningful collection today.

Read More →