One (1) 10 cent modified note
United States, ca 1874
Obverse Image: Balding man seated and playing a violin.
Obverse Text: FRACTIONAL CURRENCY / 10 / UNITED STATES / X CENTS / SERIES OF 1874 / TREASURER / REGISTER
Reverse Image: Geometric design in green ink.
Reverse Text: FRACTIONAL CURRENCY / TEN CENTS / ACT OF JUNE 30TH 1864 / COLUMBIAN BANK NOTE CO. / WASHINGTON, D.C. / X / THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR UNITED STATES NOTES BY THE ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND DESIGNATED DEPOSITARIES OF THE UNITED STATES IN SUMS NOT LESS THAN THREE DOLLARS. RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DUES TO THE UNITED STATES LESS THAN FIVE DOLLARS, EXCEPT CUSTOMS.
Portraits on paper notes are easy targets for satire. This example of fractional currency, a paper note worth less than one dollar, features the portrait of William M. Meredith, secretary of the U.S. Treasury from 1849 to 1850. With ink pen, Meredith has been transformed into a less dignified figure.
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