Expert: PAPAJACK - 1/4/2012

Question
Hello,

I am looking at $500 CSA Richmond VA.  serial #18697.  I noticed that some have two "A" above each side the words Confederate States. Mine has "D" instead.  I am trying to confirm if mine is real or fake.

Thank You for your help.
Alan W.

Answer
Hello Alan,          

This $500 Confederate note you have has to be seen. The letters above the banner would change with the printing run. This is not my specialty but I have only seen C.
A photo and date as well as the signers will help authenticate this piece.

It is not real if it has one of the following serial numbers listed below. Many reproduction or facsimile notes are printed on paper that has been chemically treated to give it an old, parchment-type look. The signatures at the bottom of these reproductions are usually stamped or signed in black ink. Nearly all original Confederate notes as well as most Southern State banknotes were signed in brown ink, sometimes red or blue ink, but never black ink. Facsimile notes greatly outnumber the originals and generally were intended to commemorate the Civil War Centennial. These notes are available at historic battlefields or from Sellers at many local Civil War reenactments. Some facsimile notes also were offered during the 1950's in boxes of Cheerios cereal and in the 1960's and 70's as promotional items for Topps and A.B.C. gum companies.
Here is a list of numbers used on known replica $500 notes, THERE MAY BE OTHERS.  -393, 3546, 9229, 14682, 16599, 16760, 18278, 19834, 26326, 26949, 33546, 36776, 82210

Many of my confederate notes are blank on the reverse some have the denomination in different colors written on them. I am not sure why there is no artwork on the reverse but the actual Confederate States were not really around too long and you could not spend the money anywhere but the confederate states.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack