Jeff G. writes:Â I have a U.S. note dated 1862, and entitled along the top as a “Treasury Warrant”; is is a five dollar note apparently given ” for Military Service.” I have been unable to find any information so far about “Treasury Warrants” and ‘am wondering if you have any information or can point me in the right direction. Thanks.
There are no United States “Treasury Warrants” from 1862. The United States issued Treasury Notes periodically from 1812-1860. Generally, Treasury notes or warrants are interest bearing currency and a form of emergency money.
I think you are talking about Civil War, State issued notes. For example there is an 1862 $5 Arkansas Treasury Warrant (Black. Black person carrying cotton at l. Governor H.M. Rector at top center, dog at bottom center). Texas has an 1862 $5 Treasury Warrant also (black on green underprinting, Washington at left). It is true that troops were probably paid in warrants instead of specie (gold and silver) but civil obligations were paid with these notes too. The promise was that when things returned to normal, one would be able to trade the notes in for specie with interest.
You might consult the book Confederate and Southern States Currency Vol 1 4th Edition by Grover C. Criswell, Jr., 1992 BNR Press, 132 East Second Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452-115. There is a new edition but it only contains the Confederate Federal currency.
