Civil War 1864 $15 Confederate States of America Bond Coupon – Equestrian Seal Vignette – Ro. Tyler Signature – Choice About Uncirculated (AU 55–58)

Technical Breakdown & Attribution

• Type: Confederate States of America Loan Interest Bond Coupon

• Denomination: $15.00 / FIFTEEN DOLLARS

• Interest Terms: Payable for six months' interest at 6% Per Annum on a $500 Confederate Bond

• Due Date: July 1st, 1868 (Due after the conclusion of the war)

• Authorizing Act: Act of February 17th, 1864 ("Loan under Sec. 6 of Act of Feb. 17th 1864")

• Bond Number Attribution: Hand-inscribed in dark ink: Bond No. 7673 for $500

  • Inventory Tail (Bond Number): 7673

• Issuing Authority: The Confederate States of America

• Engraver / Printer Imprint: "ARCHER. RICHMOND. VA." (Lower left rim)

• Signature: Ro. Tyler (Robert Tyler, Register of the Treasury; son of U.S. President John Tyler) printed at lower right above the title REGr

• Central Vignette: The Equestrian Statue of George Washington encircled by a laurel wreath and the Confederate national motto DEO VINDICE ("Under God, Our Vindicator")—the official design of the Great Seal of the Confederacy.

• Side Pillar Panels:

  • Left: Border pillar inscribed FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS

  • Right: Border pillar inscribed SIX PER CENT PER ANNUM

• Reverse Face: Blank unprinted back showing clear intaglio ink bleed-through and authentic aged paper toning.

Historical Significance: The 1864 $500 6% War Loan

1. The Act of February 17, 1864: Facing runaway currency hyperinflation in early 1864, the Confederate Congress passed comprehensive financial reform to fund war operations and retire depreciated currency by floating a massive $500,000,000 general bond issue. Section 6 authorized these 6% coupon bonds redeemable in 1894, with semi-annual coupons payable through 1868.

2. Archer & Daly, Richmond: Engraved and printed right in the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, by Archer, one of the primary contracted printers for Confederate treasury notes, postage stamps, and bonds.

3. Robert Tyler (Register): Signed by Robert Tyler, son of 10th U.S. President John Tyler. Having fled to the South when Virginia seceded, Tyler served throughout the Civil War as the Register of the Confederate Treasury.

4. Post-War Maturity (Never Redeemed): Because this coupon had a maturity date of July 1, 1868—more than three years after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox—it was never presented for payment and remains completely intact and uncancelled.

Condition & Visual Grade Assessment

• Assigned Technical Grade: Choice About Uncirculated (AU 55 – AU 58)

• Preservation Highlights & Attributes:

  • Margins & Trimming: Neatly clipped from the original bond sheet with full black outer borderlines intact on all four sides.

  • Paper Fabric & Body: Crisp, firm, original wartime paper with bright, uniform light-amber aging. Shows zero heavy creases or handling folds.

  • Inks & Engraving: Outstanding deep black intaglio printing. The intricate details in the equestrian statue, the motto DEO VINDICE, and the engine-turned border scrolls are crisp and clear.

  • Manuscript Details: The hand-penned bond number 7673 remains sharp and dark.

  • Purity: Completely free of pinholes, modern tape, spindle holes, or tear damage.