Tahlequah, Indian Territory. Cherokee Nation. 1862 $1. PMG Very Fine 25.
(Criswell CHR N-2, Burgett 6) June 11, 1862. A lovely $1 note from this interesting series that evolved from the Cherokee treaty with Brigadier Confederate General Albert Pike, signed against the advice of Paramount Chief John Ross. A major portion of this treaty was the settlement of the 1846 claims due from Washington in the form of specie ($77,644.36, per Douglas B. Ball's research) and a trove of $172,300 in Confederate treasury notes. The planned higher denomination notes, mostly $20, $50, and $100 notes, would help in commerce, while local change needs could be met by this series, which was printed in denominations from 50 cents to $5. The notes were signed by two Ross family members: Lewis Ross, brother of Chief John Ross, and Clerk Joshua Ross, who was a wealthy slaveholder. These notes did not circulate for long, as most were seized and destroyed in the Union raid in July of 1862, which resulted in the capture and deportation of Chief John Ross by Union officials. He was replaced by his constant nemesis within the Nation, Stand Watie, as Chief, who was also made a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. This is a uniface note printed on very thin, nearly translucent rag paper. It is without imprint, but now attributed to John Candy in the Shull-Criswell reference. Intricate, ornamental patterns are seen at the top and bottom frame lines. End panels at left and right, composed of linked oval ornaments, enclose the denomination HALF DOLLAR in English at the left and translated into the Sequoyah (named for the Cherokee innovator) alphabet at the right. The interesting use of both language styles helped prevent raising the notes' denominations. The bolded numeric denomination is at upper left. The obligation is across, bolded Fifty Cents, and its translation in dialect. The additional obligation at the top, "Issued by authority of Law in lieu of Notes of the Confederate States," is continued along the bottom margin, "which are retained in the Treasury for the redemption hereof." The Shull-Criswell Rarity 10 (5-15 known) is accurate. This is a superior note and one of the finest your cataloger has seen.

Estimate: $5000.00- $10000.00