Civil War Era 1861 $1.50 New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad Co. Note – Train Vignette – Oddball Fractional Denomination – About Good Details (AG 3 Details – Incomplete Note / Right Section Loss)

Technical Breakdown & Attribution

• Denomination: $1.50 / ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS (Unusual oddball fractional denomination)

• Issuer: The New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad Company (New Orleans, Louisiana / Jackson & Canton, Mississippi)

• Type: Obsolete Civil War Railroad Fractional Scrip / Emergency Depository Currency

• Date Issued: November 1, 1861 (Manuscript date: "Nov 1st 1861")

• Engraver / Printer Imprint: "Dumble Tel. N. Orl. ms" (Lower left margin rim)

• Serial Number: No. 1420 (Penned in original red manuscript ink above the train vignette)

  • Inventory Tail (Serial Number): 1420

• Obligation & Text:

  • Header Panel: "ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS" flanked by 1 50/100 counters.

  • Vertical Issuer Title: "THE NEW ORLEANS, JACKSON & GREAT NORTHERN RAIL ROAD COMPANY".

  • Promise: "Will pay ONE DOLLAR & 50 CTS to Bearer".

  • Bottom Obligation: "RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DUES TO THE COMPANY" set inside vertical scrollwork.

• Signatures (Both Present & Intact):

  • Treasurer: Signed in red manuscript ink on the Treas. line.

  • President: Signed in dark brown/black manuscript ink on the for Pres. line.

• Vignettes:

  • Central: Early 4-4-0 steam locomotive and tender stopping at a passenger/freight depot.

  • Lower Center: Classical allegorical vignette (seated female figure beside commerce/harvest motifs).

• Reverse Face: Plain blank back showing natural unprinted fibrous rag paper.

Historical Significance & Fractional Rarity

1. The $1.50 "Broken" Denomination: While standard obsolete denominations were $1, $2, or $5, Southern railroads famously issued oddball fractional amounts—such as $1.25, $1.50, and $1.75—to cover exact passenger fares and bridge the severe coin shortage caused by wartime hoarding in late 1861.

2. Confederate Supply Lifeline: The New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad connected the port of New Orleans with vital supply lines across Mississippi and Tennessee. These emergency scrip notes circulated actively throughout Louisiana and Mississippi during the opening year of the war.

3. Core Elements Fully Intact: Like your $2 NOJ&GN note, this note is oriented in landscape format. The left side—containing both the red-ink Treasurer signature, the President signature, the red serial number 1420, the date, and the full train engraving—is completely intact.

Condition & Visual Grade Assessment

• Assigned Technical Grade: About Good Details (AG 3 Details – Incomplete Note / Right Section Loss)

• Preservation Highlights & Physical Profile:

  • Intact Core Elements: The central train depot vignette, lower allegorical artwork, denomination banners, red serial number 1420, hand-written date (Nov 1st, 1861), and both executive signatures are completely preserved and legible.

  • Missing Section: Approximately 55% to 60% of the note is present. The right section (which contained the right-hand counter panel and outer decorative border) was torn away during historical circulation.

  • Paper Fabric & Surfaces: Genuine 1860s thin rag paper with heavy age toning, historic wallet folds, and localized handling soiling. Edges display authentic handling erosion and fiber fraying.

  • Inks: The black intaglio engraving remains bold and distinct. The red manuscript ink on the serial number 1420 and the Treasurer's signature retains strong visual punch and contrast.