New Confederate T-8 $50 Variety

Having handled well over $150 million in currency rarities over the past 20 years in the auction business it is always enjoyable to locate a new variety that so far has remained unknown or unreported. When I first saw this T-8 1861 $50 Confederate piece raw it was intriguing to me because although it was a Bb plate thick paper variety, it didn’t seem to match known varieties for this plate in the Fricke reference on Confederate notes. This note has now been recognized as a new variety by PCGS Banknote – PF-11 for the T-8 variety – yet to be documented in print form. The use of a new Fricke number confirms that this is the first note discovered. PCGS Banknote noticed that this low serial number note carries the “For” written in front of Treasr.; it is also visible underneath the period writing in printed fashion with the aid of magnification. Thick paper notes from this plate with the “For” written are very tough to locate in any grade but in new condition with historical provenance and uniqueness, it borders on impossible. After discussions with Pierre Fricke during the Central States show a couple of weeks ago, he informed me about this new PF-11 variety identifying this Bb plate note as having “For” both written and printed.

It was explained to me by the consignor that this Confederate note was acquired by the family directly from the famed William A. Philpott Collection through the efforts of legendary Texas dealer John Rowe many years ago. The Philpott-Moody collection, now housed in the SMU Library, contains mostly Texas Nationals. It takes time and effort to identify such an item as unique and truly worthy of further research. This gorgeous note has been graded PCGS Choice Uncirculated 63 and is now one of the finest surviving Thick Paper Bb plate pieces extant. It will be offered in the Confederate section of our 2025 Summer Global Showcase Auction this August.

For more information on our upcoming Stack’s Bowers Galleries auctions or to find out when we will be at a show near you visit StacksBowers.com. To consign to an upcoming auction, call me at 800-458-4646 Ext. 393 or email me at [email protected].