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20 Dollars State of South Carolina
| Issuer | State of South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Year | 1872 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Dollar |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is printed entirely in green and consists of an elaborate geometric lathe-work design. Two large circular guilloche medallions, each bearing the numeral 20 surrounded by repeated micro-numeral 20 counters within an oak-leaf wreath border, flank a central rectangular panel of intricate engine-turned guilloche work enclosing the authorising legislative text. The printer's imprint appears at the lower left and lower right margins. |
| Reverse lettering | ISSUED UNDER AN ACT TO RELIEVE THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA OF ALL LIABILITY FOR ITS GUARANTY OF THE BONDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE RAILROAD COMPANY, BY PROVIDING FOR THE SECURING AND DESTRUCTION OF THE SAME. MARCH 2, 1872 American Bank Note Co. New-York American Bank Note Co. New-York |
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| Comments |
South Carolina's 1872 state note issue came during Reconstruction, when the Republican-controlled legislature was operating under federal oversight and the state's finances were in genuine disorder. The American Bank Note Company had by this point become the default printer for politically unstable or fiscally troubled American issuers — their New York presses turned out paper for entities that couldn't afford, or couldn't trust, local production.
Criswell's SC-7 designation places this within a small series that saw limited redemption. Reconstruction-era South Carolina scrip was frequently refused at face value by merchants skeptical of the government backing it, meaning circulated survivors often carry heavy handling wear disproportionate to their short active life.