Confederate Bond, Five Thousand Dollars, 1862

01

Artifact Overview

Stella Williams was a wealthy orphan in 1860, living with her aunt and uncle in Richmond, Virginia. In January 1862, 19-year-old Stella purchased this $5,000 bond -- equal to one-fourth of her wealth. At 8% interest, it seemed like a good investment. Initially, at least, it was. Once the war was lost, Southerners like Stella were left holding now worthless Confederate bonds.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Bond (Negotiable instrument)

Date Made

1862

Subject Date

17 January 1862

Creator Notes

Issued by the Confederate States of America Treasury and printed by Hoyer & Ludwig in Richmond, Virginia.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

30.1104.1827.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Dimensions

Height: 8.25 in
Width: 12.5 in

Inscriptions

Recto, in part: $5,000 / IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED THAT / CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA / ARE INDEBTED TO MISS STELLA H. WILLIAMS OF RICHMOND, VA. / ... FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS / ....17TH DAY OF JANUARY 1862 / .../ HOYER & LUDWIG RICHMOND VA.