The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-18

there are still many left to whom they | recall vivid memories. When the years are reckoned. 1t was not so very long ago that the medium of exchange was much fin evidence, and along with the thought of 1t comes the recollection of the countless advertising schemes that were based upon a suitable pocket-book or holder for this currency. Many of those to whom the diminutive notes were once familiar sights will aver in no weak tones that when the country was flooded with fractional currency and the same notes of larger denomina- tion, that period was the most pros- porous in their experience. Certain 1t was, they say. that every one had money, and plenty of it--at feast so far as actual quantity of paper went. The first issue of the fractional pos- tai currency was made under an act authorizing 1t, passed July 2, 1S62. an 30,215,600 was issued in denominations of E, 10, 25 and 50 cents. The second and all issues thereafter were made under an act passed March 8, 1863. In the second issue the denominations were the same as in the first. the amount being s23.164.4S3.65. A new denomination was introduced in the third issue--the Scent note--and the amount issued was nearly twice as much as that already In cirrslation un- der the two previous issues-$S6, 115,- OPS. 80. In this last issue there were two 50-cent 9otes, a rare occurrence in the same series. One has a picture of Justice and the other a portrait of Spinner, the latter being a highly prized specimen of the currency. The 3-cent note and this 50-cent note form two of the hardest" specimens, in the vernacular of the small boy and the collector to obtain.
 In the fourth issue, made under act of June 30. 1864, amending the previous acts, there were three series, the first carrying 10, 15, 25 and 50-cent notes. and the other two additional 50-cent bills. The 15-cent note made it's first appearance at this time and the amount issued was $176,567.es2.. The last issue carried but three denomina- tions, the 10, 25 and 5o-cent notes. the amount put into circulation being s62,- 661.900: 4-s
 The notes of the first three issues were not very artistic and were too small, with the exception of the two Decent notes of the third issue. The last two issues were really beautiful specimens of the art of engraving and bank note printing. the notes of the last issue resembling the familiar Treasury .uote of today in miniature.
 The first issue was crude in work manship, the prevailing colors being brown and green, and the heads of Jefferson and Washington none too we'll executed, adorning the notes. washington's portrait also embellished the notes of the second issue, which was noticeable on account of the gilt ring used as the official stamp of the Treasury at the time. The colors Of
 the issue varied-brown, red. green and purple. The portraits of the third issue W ere those of Washington, Clark. Fessenden, Spinner and Justice. The fourth Issue gave the first evidence of any artistic ability on the part of the governments craftsmen, some the notes being decorated with handsome vignettes of the Goddess of Liberty. while others had portraits of Washing ton, Lincoln. Stanton and Dexter. This was the first issue that the govern ment used the familiar seal that re- sembled the one in use today on Treas ury notes. The fifth issue was very artlsticalIy got up, and bore the por- traits of Meredith. Crawford and Wal ker.
 There are some specimens of this currency. which, in the eyes Of collec- tors at least. are worth very much more than others. A l5-cent note. with the heads of Grant and sherman. is very valuable. as Is the 50-cent note with head of Spinner and red back Some of the notes that are not espe- cially valuable or rare triple their commercial value should they possess red backs. The 15-cent note cited above is the most sought after note In the whole set of fractional currency. Other notes become valuable # pro- yided with written instead of an en-