Skip to content

Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

State of South Carolina fifty cents bill

February 1, 1863

Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
Visit the source record ↗

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

State of South Carolina fifty cents bill featuring a central image of a palm tree with scroll work designs and flowers underneath. Large lettering above the palm tree reads, [The Bank / of the / STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA]. The number [50] is printed in bold on either side of the illustration. Underneath are the words, [WILL PAY BEARER ON DEMAND / "IN CURRENT FUNDS" / FIFTY CENTS]. Underneath is an illegible signature [For Cashier.]. The date, [FEB. 1, 1863.] is written in small lettering on the bottom left corner. The back of the note has a stamp in red ink that reads, [FIFTY / Issued under Act Feb., 1863.] There is some brown staining throughout and a small area of loss on the upper right corner. Distinct crease marks can be seen where the note had been previously folded.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2017.108.9.18

Continue exploring Series 1

Slavery, Resistance & Freedom →Business & Enterprise →

Explore all Series 1 cards →