Washington County Bank $10

October 1863. Durand UNL, Haxby RI-430 (G10a1) UNL, Bowers UNL

“This bank is encountered, and their original plates were beautifully engraved by Toppan, Carpenter & Co. This late-date issued note is the first we have ever seen. It has green ‘X X’ protectors and an American Bank Note Co. imprint. The description matches the period reports, with settlers startling a Native American family. Liberty is seated with a shield, and the U.S. Capitol is behind at lower left. Counters are in the upper corners. Green protector ‘X X’ is at bottom across the signatures. The protector was a peculiar choice and left the note open to be raised to a $20 note, in our opinion. Noted with ‘Rust Stains; Paper Pull on Back; Small Edge Tears.’ The note is not a great beauty, but it is the first seen and quite interesting.”

The central vignette of this note was drawn by Philadelphia-born illustrator Felix Octavius Carr Darley (1822-1888). Darley worked with the major magazine and book publishers of his day and created illustrations for some of the 19th-century’s most successful authors.

Of Darley’s output, one historian has noted, “his work for the bank note companies before and after the Civil War period appeared on more notes, bonds and commercial paper than that of any other artist of his time.”

This particular illustration can also be found on the $1 note from the Katanyan Bank of La Crosse, WI, and the $1 note from the Bank of Florence in Nebraska.

Signatures of M.H. Du Plessis, cashier and W.D. Bannister, president. Endorsed by Edmund W. Raynsford on back.

Durand, Haxby and Bowers mention a similar note that lacks the green “X” protectors.

Ex Coll. Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society

Felix Darley’s “Settlers startling a Native American family.”

> More information on the Washington County Bank of Carolina Mills.