50 Dollars, National Bank Note, United States, 1864
50 Dollars, National Bank Note, United States, 1864
Previous
Next
Usage conditions apply
- Description (Brief)
- One (1) 50 dollar note
- United States, 1864
- Obverse Image: At left, George Washington crossing the Delaware river. At right, Washington at prayer with allegorical figures above.
- Obverse Text: NATIONAL CURRENCY / THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON. / BOSTON, MASS. / OCT. 6TH 1864. / THE NORTH NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON WILL PAY TO BEARER FIFTY DOLLARS ON DEMAND / MASSACHUSETTS. / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / 10581 / AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. N.Y. / 50
- Reverse Image: The embarkation of the pilgrims.
- Reverse Text: 50 / L / NATIONAL CURRENCY / EMBARKATION OF THE PILGRIMS / US / THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AS EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT. / COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE OR 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR OR BOTH.
- Description
- In 1863 the U.S. issued its first national notes and decided to feature historically themed paintings from the Capitol Rotunda on the reverse. The paintings were shrunk from their original size of twelve by eight feet to a mere four-and-a-half by two-and-a-half inches, but maintained the detail and quality of the paintings. This decision converted national treasures into national currency.
- Robert Weir completed Embarkation of the Pilgrims in 1843. The painting depicts the Pilgrims departing Holland in 1620 in search of religious freedom in America. The painting conveys the solemnity of the travelers at the beginning of their journey. Weir’s painting is replicated on the reverse of the first fifty dollar national note.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- note
- date made
- 1864
- issuing bank
- North National Bank of Boston
- maker
- American Bank Note Company
- place made
- United States
- place issued
- United States: Massachusetts, Boston
- Physical Description
- paper (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 7.75 cm x 17.8 cm x.01 cm; 3 1/16 in x 7 in x in
- ID Number
- NU.78.5.328
- serial number
- 10581
- accession number
- 1978.0941
- catalog number
- 78.5.328
- Credit Line
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- subject
- Pilgrims
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
- National Bank Notes
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.
