T-2. Confederate Currency. 1861 $500. PMG Very Fine 30. No. 417, Plate A. The T-2 is one of the most popular notes in the Confederate series not only for its rarity but also for the artistic beauty as well. Ceres, the goddess of agriculture is shown in the lower left. The James Smillie engraved central vignette is titled <em>The Crossing</em> and features a steam locomotive with cars in tow crossing a bridge over a river with cattle watering themselves as a horseman looks on. Bold green security and border prints are seen along with intricate die counters at top left and right. This example features neatly penned signatures of actual Register of the Treasury Alex B. Clitherall at left and actual Treasurer E.C. Elmore at right. A manuscript issuing endorsement from Confederate agent F. Hodges dated July 24th, 1861 is on the back. Creamy white paper and full frame lines are displayed by this modestly circulated note. This is the nicest 1861 $500 we have offered since the Cleo Collection example which sold for $39,950 in our August 2017 ANA auction. While the notes are nearly identical in terms of visual appeal, PMG comments "Minor Restoration" on the back of the holder of this note. It appears to be limited to the area of the manuscript issuing endorsement on the back. This is a stunning representation of this iconic Confederate design type and would be a centerpiece in most collections. From the Q. David Bowers Collection.
