Series of 1874 10 Cents U.S. Fractional Currency (Fifth Issue) – William M. Meredith – Red Seal – Fr. 1265 / Fr. 1266 

Item Overview

• Denomination: 10 Cents ("Ten Cents" / "X Cents")

• Currency Type: United States Fractional Currency (Post-Civil War "Shinplaster")

• Issue / Series: Fifth Issue (Authorized under the Act of March 3, 1863 and Act of June 30, 1864, inscribed along the reverse outer border)

• Series Date: Series of 1874 (Issued from February 26, 1874 through February 15, 1876)

• Catalog Reference:

  • Friedberg # 1265 (Red Seal, Long / Thin Key Variety)

  • Friedberg # 1266 (Red Seal, Short / Thick Key Variety)

• Portrait: William M. Meredith (U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, 1849–1850 under President Zachary Taylor)

• Printer & Engraver: Bureau of Engraving & Printing (BEP), Washington, D.C.

• Signatures / Officials (Engraved Facsimile):

  • John Allison (Register of the Treasury)

  • Francis E. Spinner (Treasurer of the United States)

• Seal: Red scalloped Treasury seal ("THESAUR. AMER. SEPTENT. SIGIL.") positioned at the lower left

• Security Paper: Distinctive fibrous security paper with dark silk threads visibly embedded across the reverse field

• Physical Dimensions: Standard Fifth Issue format (approx. 83 × 53 mm)

Variety & Seal Details

• Seal Color: Red Seal

• Key Length Variety Distinction:

  • Fr. 1265 (Long Key): The key handle inside the Treasury shield is slender and extends nearly the full distance across the shield.

  • Fr. 1266 (Short Key): The key handle is noticeably thicker and shorter, leaving clear space between the handle and the border.

  • Market Note: In circulated grades (G to VG), both varieties command equal interest and trade interchangeably.

Condition & Visual Grade

• Assigned Technical Grade: Good to Very Good (G 4 – VG 8)

• Preservation Characteristics:

  • Genuine commercial circulation handling throughout.

  • Displays multiple handling creases, soft vertical folds, and natural surface mellowing.

  • Perimeter shows handling wear, minor roughness, and small edge nicks along the margin borders (most evident along the left margin and corners).

  • Both the red Treasury seal and black central portrait remain fully legible and intact.