One of those notes that when I saw the amazing symbolism in it, combined with the feminine vignette, I knew I could not live without it.


This note was issued in the postbellum southern city of Mobile Alabama.  These notes were first issued as early as the summer of 1865, obviously by a reconstructionist government that was probably pro-Union in sentiment.  But the vignette is very memorable for the symbolism of the "Union" with her flag greeting the South, with their swords cast to their feet - an obvious allusion to the just ended conflict that tore the nation apart.

But as you will see with the rest of the note, old times are not forgotten:


Notice the centre vignette with the now sharecroppers, apparently gathering sugar cane?  I love the denomination of the note, the $3, the symbolism of the North and South embracing, but coupled with the other vignettes that are so descriptive of the postbellum Southern dilemmas.  This note was one of those that of course skirted the legislation of 1863 that forbid the issuance of banknotes without the obligatory tax payment.  Of course this was common in the south right after the cessation of hostilities, but notes after 1870 got pretty scarce.

Wow, that sure is a pretty one


Now only if the current US coins could be designed with 1/4 of the taste
and beauty we would all collect moderns

Now only if the current US coins could be designed with 1/4 of the taste
and beauty we would all collect moderns

Agree on that 100% !!!

David,
  That's a very nice Alabaman $3 note that you've got there.

The $3 denomination reminds me of the $3 notes from the Bahamas,the Chatham Islands,& the Cook Islands.

Aidan.