$20 1864 Confederate note Richmond VA UNC

Qty	Wire/Check	Bitcoin	CC/PayPal
Any	$149.00	$150.49	$154.96

The $20 Confederate States of America note dated February 17, 1864, and printed in Richmond, Virginia, stands as one of the most iconic and historically rich pieces of Confederate currency. Issued during the final year of the American Civil War, this note represents both the ambitions and the desperation of the Confederacy as it struggled to sustain its war effort against the Union. By 1864, the Confederate economy was in severe decline due to inflation, blockades, and the disruption of agricultural and industrial production. Nevertheless, the Confederate Treasury continued to issue paper money in large quantities, relying heavily on public trust and future repayment promises contingent upon a Southern victory. The $20 note, part of the seventh and final series of Confederate currency, offers an extraordinary window into this critical moment in American history.

The design of the 1864 $20 Confederate note is both intricate and symbolic. It prominently features a central vignette of the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, a classical Greek Revival structure that had been taken by Union forces in 1862. The choice of this imagery during a time when the city was no longer under Confederate control reflects both a nostalgic attachment to Southern institutions and a quiet defiance against Union occupation. The building is rendered in fine detail, with its columned façade and towering dome visible in the center of the note. To the left of the central vignette is a small image of a Confederate soldier resting beside a cannon, while to the right appears the Confederate seal, adding both patriotic and military symbolism to the overall composition.

The note bears the printed text “Confederate States of America” across the top, with the denomination “TWENTY DOLLARS” printed below in bold type. The date “February 17th, 1864” appears near the center, marking it as part of the final official issue of Confederate currency. Unlike earlier series that used large, flowing script, the 1864 issues utilized more compact and standardized text for greater printing efficiency. The note also carries the statement “Six months after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States & the United States of America, the Confederate States of America will pay TWENTY DOLLARS to bearer,” which reflects the speculative nature of the currency—its value hinged upon a Confederate victory, which ultimately would never come.

The Richmond-based firm of Keatinge & Ball was responsible for printing this and other denominations during the latter stages of the war. This firm had taken over as the principal engravers and printers for the Confederate Treasury after the earlier companies in New Orleans and Columbia became inaccessible due to advancing Union forces. Keatinge & Ball, operating under constant logistical strain, used woodcuts and lithographic plates rather than steel engravings, which had become scarce. Despite these limitations, the firm managed to produce notes with considerable visual appeal and complexity. The 1864 $20 note is a testament to their craftsmanship, with its sharply delineated imagery and well-structured layout making it one of the more visually appealing pieces of Confederate paper money.

The 1864 issue was printed in very large quantities—millions of notes were produced across all denominations in a last-ditch effort to maintain the Confederate economy. However, because of extreme inflation and public loss of faith in the currency, the value of Confederate notes declined sharply. While there are no exact mintage figures for the $20 note, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands were printed, although many did not survive the war. The vast majority of these notes were either redeemed as waste, destroyed, or heavily circulated and damaged in the decades that followed. Surviving uncirculated specimens are considerably rarer and significantly more desirable to collectors.

The condition of this particular 1864 $20 Confederate note is Uncirculated (UNC), a highly sought-after grade for any Civil War-era paper currency. In Uncirculated condition, the note exhibits crisp paper with no folds, tears, stains, or significant handling marks. The corners remain sharp, and the ink is as vibrant as the day it was printed. The central vignette of the Tennessee Capitol is finely detailed, with no smudging or fading, and the smaller illustrations retain excellent clarity. The paper still carries its original texture and snap, characteristics that are quickly lost once a note enters circulation. The printed serial numbers and signatures, typically applied by hand, are also clean and legible, enhancing the note’s authenticity and appeal.

Confederate notes in Uncirculated condition are especially prized due to the poor handling and storage conditions common during and after the war. Most Confederate money was hastily distributed, often folded or crumpled into pockets, and exposed to the elements. As the war drew to a close and the South faced economic collapse, many citizens discarded or burned their now-worthless paper notes. The survival of this $20 1864 note in pristine condition is nothing short of remarkable and adds greatly to its historical and numismatic value. Collectors view such examples as benchmarks for the series and often place them in high-grade protective holders for preservation and display.

The $20 1864 note also holds value for its broader historical context. Issued during the same year that General William T. Sherman’s forces cut a swath through the South with his infamous “March to the Sea,” this note represents a desperate Confederacy attempting to finance a losing war. With Union troops closing in on the Confederate heartland and the capital of Richmond soon to fall, the issuance of such notes was a last attempt to keep the Southern economy functioning. The historical resonance of holding a piece of currency issued amid such chaos and uncertainty adds a profound dimension to its collectible appeal.

Today, collectors of Confederate currency place the 1864 $20 note among the most iconic and accessible pieces of the era. While many notes from the Confederate States of America are known to exist in varying grades, those in Uncirculated condition are exceptionally rare and often command strong premiums. They are often sought by enthusiasts of Civil War history, Southern Americana, and obsolete banknotes. The note serves not only as a financial artifact but also as a piece of wartime propaganda, reflecting the Confederate government's hopes and promises, even as the reality of defeat loomed near. It remains a powerful emblem of a lost cause and the human stories embedded in one of the most divisive periods in American history.

Whether housed in a currency collection, a museum, or preserved as a family heirloom, the $20 1864 Confederate note from Richmond in Uncirculated condition retains an enduring fascination. It is a tangible relic of a bygone government, a poignant reminder of the trials of war, and a testament to the resilience of American numismatic heritage. With its artistic design, historical depth, and exceptional preservation, this note continues to capture the imagination of those who study the past through the lens of its surviving artifacts.