United States 1872 – State of South Carolina $50 Revenue Bond Scrip Act of March 2 1872 Columbia Issue
The design balances artistry and propaganda. At center, an engraved portrait of George Washington anchors the composition, flanked by vignettes emblematic of South Carolina’s economy: a farmer with a horse-drawn plow at left and a cotton field worker at right. Above, 'The State of South Carolina' arcs in bold Gothic script under the heading 'Revenue Bond Scrip.' Rich green tinting reinforces the denomination, with large shaded 'FIFTY' protectors and dual '50' counters in ornate guilloche. The intricate micro-lettered border repeats the word 'FIFTY' in alternating fonts-a subtle security feature designed to frustrate counterfeiters. Read more →