 FLORIDA. State of Florida. $50.00. B. Tallahassee, Fla. 'Jan. 1, 1865'. No imprint, printed on the backs of 1864 $1.00 notes (split between two notes). Steamship at the top center over the title. At the left is obligation 'RECEIVABLE BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN PAYMENT OF ALL DUES AND DEMANDS.' At the right 'PUBLIC LANDS OF THE STATE PLEDGED'. Criswell 42. Cassidy SN-33. Fully signed and issued. No.90. The serial number places this in the range of many of the notes seen of this type. A rare issue that was the last Florida series in the Civil War.
In Smythe's June, 2000 Memphis Sale, Doug Ball estimated twelve to fifteen known of this type. We believe that number is closer to twenty or so. In the Ford Part VIII Sale in January, 2005 we offered two examples (lots 1367 and 1368, serial numbers 83 and 82) and in the Ford Part X Sale in May, 2005 we offered two others, both similar in condition. Other examples in collections not known to us may push the number a little higher. However, this late series has always been in demand and is essential for a comprehensive collection of Southern States issues. Choice Almost Uncirculated. Exceptionally well printed with very broad margins. There is visible and heavier handling upon closer inspection, but this note is clearly attractive for the type.
Compared to the state of affairs in the rest of the Confederacy during late 1864 and early 1865, Florida was not in dire straights yet. Tallahassee was the only State Capitol not under Union control at that time. Federal invaders moving into the Florida interior, based out of Jacksonville, attempted to capture Lake City and cut off the Confederates from their last major herd. However, the Federals were routed by the ''Grays'' at Oulustee (Ocean Pond) and that saved Tallahassee from capture.
Financially, the State Government suffered the same problems as the other Southern State governments with currency depreciation and a severe lack of specie. Their currency was depreciated at a ratio of 50 to 1 versus gold and it was having difficulties paying the soldiers. The Federal Army controlled the rich lands including St. Augustine, Pensacola and Jacksonville where revenue from lumber and shipping were once available. The Florida Treasury still had unused sheets of 1864 notes available that were just about worthless at the 50-1 ratio. Therefore they authorized this final issue with the lowest denomination being the $50.00 and the highest being a $500.00 which would correspond to the former 1864 $1.00 and $10.00 notes in terms of spending power. By the style of printing, they were printed by the same firm that printed the private Tallahassee City bills.
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