368

***Auction Highlight*** Rare Specimen Third Issue 50c Fractional Currency Justice Holding Scales Gra

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
***Auction Highlight*** Rare Specimen Third Issue 50c Fractional Currency Justice Holding Scales Gra
***Auction Highlight*** Rare Specimen Third Issue 50c Fractional Currency Justice Holding Scales Graded cu65 PPQ By PMG. All Narrow Margin Specimen Notes Like This One Came Original From Fractional Currency Shields A fractional currency shield is a 20 in × 25 in (510 mm × 640 mm) printed "shield" on which is placed 39 different fractional currency notes. Produced in 1866 and 1867 by the Treasury Department, the shields were sold to banks for $4.50 each, for the purpose of having a genuine note available to use as a method of counterfeit detection. The 39 notes were printed from the original plates on one side only, the other side left blank, or with the printed word "specimen". Fractional or postage currency has a rich history. At the beginning of the Civil War people starting hoarding coins for their precious metal content. Coins became difficult to find because of the hoarding. People started to try to use stamps instead of coins as a means of commerce. The government decided to help ease the hoarding issue by issuing “paper coins” also known as postage currency or fractional currency. Fractional currency was first issued on August 21, 1862 and they were last issued on February 15, 1876. Three cents, five cents, ten cents, twenty-five cents, and fifty cents notes were all issued. Fractional currency is physically smaller than other United States money. It also does not have a serial number.