Gray Fractional Currency Shield (Fr. 1382), c. 1866-1869

Item Details

A Fractional Currency Shield with gray background (Fr. 1382), produced by the U.S. Treasury Department between June 1866 and May 1869. These shields were meant to be purchased by banks as a visual reference for counterfeit currency detection. The shield features thirty-nine (twenty fronts and nineteen backs) uniface fractional notes of the first, second, and third issues. Included is a hand-signed 15 cent note by Jeffries-Spinner, hand-signed 10 cent note by Colby-Spinner, and hand-signed 50 cent note by Colby-Spinner. The notes were printed from the original plates on one side only and some bear the ‘specimen’ print reverse. Approximately 200 – 400 gray background shields are believed to have been printed, with fewer still in existence. Banks balked at the idea of spending an estimated $4.50 (plus transportation charges) for this product and most were left unsold in storage. Flooding in the Treasury Department’s storage area resulted in the water stains and discoloration that is common with many surviving shields. This example shows few tape repairs, minimal gall ink bleed in the handwritten signatures, and very slight water staining to lower field. The shield is housed under glass in a handsome oak wood frame with hanging wire to verso.

• Everything But The House does not grade coins or currency. Existing grades offered by third party grading services, if accompanying any particular coins or currency, are presented for informational purposes only and subsequent feedback from future grading authorities may or may not coincide with the information provided.

Condition

- to fair; moderate discoloration; tape repair along horizontal crease 2/3 of the way up the image; tape repair (possibly re-attached) Grant-Sherman 15 cent note; slight water staining at the bottom of the image field; moderate wear to frame.

Dimensions

- measures frame; image area measures 19.5" W x 23.5" H.

Item #

17ATL134-072