{"product_id":"1874-10-fractional-currency-fifth-issue-meredith-red-seal-note-psv-20","title":"1874 10¢ Fractional Currency Fifth Issue – Meredith Red Seal Note (PSV 20)","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMetalStacks proudly presents a rare and historically significant piece of 19th-century American currency with this \u003cstrong\u003e1874 10-Cent Fractional Currency Note\u003c\/strong\u003e from the \u003cstrong\u003eFifth Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e, featuring the portrait of \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam M. Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e — the 19th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Zachary Taylor. Issued by the United States Treasury during the post-Civil War era, this small-denomination note represents one of the most fascinating and short-lived chapters in American monetary history: the period when paper money replaced coinage for everyday transactions due to nationwide coin shortages caused by the Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(PSV 20)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCommonly known as \u003cstrong\u003e\"shinplasters\"\u003c\/strong\u003e by 19th-century Americans, fractional currency notes were issued in denominations of \u003cstrong\u003e3, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50 cents\u003c\/strong\u003e to provide small-change paper money during a time when gold, silver, and even copper coins were being hoarded and melted for their intrinsic metal value. This 1874 10-cent example bears the distinctive \u003cstrong\u003ered Treasury seal\u003c\/strong\u003e characteristic of the Fifth Issue, along with the signatures of U.S. Treasurer John C. New and Register A.U. Wyman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis particular example is housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly presented within a \u003cstrong\u003ehandsome wood display frame with a black matted backdrop\u003c\/strong\u003e, transforming it into a finished showcase piece ready for immediate display. The note exhibits significant signs of age, wear, and circulation consistent with its 150-year-old vintage — including toning, creasing, and edge wear that authentically reflect its journey through American history. These natural characteristics enhance its authenticity and historical character as a genuine artifact of the Reconstruction era. \u003cstrong\u003eOnly one note is available, making this a truly one-of-one collectible offering.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eYear: 1874\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eIssue: Fifth Issue Fractional Currency\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDenomination: 10 Cents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eType: U.S. Fractional Currency (\"Shinplaster\")\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSeal Color: Red Treasury Seal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePortrait: William M. Meredith (19th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSignatures: John C. New (Treasurer) \/ A.U. Wyman (Register)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGrade: Circulated (Heavy Wear \/ Authentic Vintage Condition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eIssuer: United States of America (Direct Treasury Issue)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePaper Type: Government-issued cotton\/linen blend (19th-century stock)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eEra: Post-Civil War \/ Reconstruction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePresentation: Rigid currency holder mounted within a wood display frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvailability: One (1) note only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObverse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Features an engraved portrait of \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam M. Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left, framed by ornate scrollwork and the inscription \u003cstrong\u003e\"UNITED STATES\"\u003c\/strong\u003e along the top. The denomination \u003cstrong\u003e\"10 CENTS\"\u003c\/strong\u003e appears prominently to the right, anchored by the distinctive \u003cstrong\u003ered Treasury seal\u003c\/strong\u003e — a defining visual element of the Fifth Issue. The phrase \u003cstrong\u003e\"FRACTIONAL CURRENCY\"\u003c\/strong\u003e runs vertically along the left border, while the bold numeral \u003cstrong\u003e\"10\"\u003c\/strong\u003e appears at the upper left corner. Signatures of the Treasurer and Register appear at the lower right beneath the red seal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Displays an ornate green engraved design with the inscription \u003cstrong\u003e\"FRACTIONAL TEN CENTS CURRENCY\"\u003c\/strong\u003e arched across the top, and the bold numeral \u003cstrong\u003e\"10\"\u003c\/strong\u003e at each corner. The center features the official Treasury redemption text: \u003cem\u003e\"This Note is Receivable in Payment of all Dues to the United States Less Than Five Dollars, and is Exchangeable at the United States Treasury and the Designated Depositories for United States Notes Provided Such Notes Shall be Presented in Sums Not Less Than Three Dollars.\"\u003c\/em\u003e The intricate green scrollwork and lathe-engraved background reflect the elaborate anti-counterfeiting techniques of 19th-century Bureau of Engraving and Printing production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eU.S. \u003cstrong\u003eFractional Currency\u003c\/strong\u003e holds a singular place in American monetary history. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, public hoarding of gold and silver coins — and even copper-nickel cents — created a severe shortage of small change throughout the country. Daily commerce ground to a halt as merchants and citizens had no way to make change for purchases. In response, the U.S. Treasury authorized the issuance of small-denomination paper currency in 1862, beginning with \u003cstrong\u003ePostage Currency\u003c\/strong\u003e (literal postage stamps printed on Treasury paper) and evolving through \u003cstrong\u003efive distinct issues of Fractional Currency\u003c\/strong\u003e between 1862 and 1876.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFifth Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e — produced from 1874 through 1876 — was the final and shortest-lived series, issued specifically in denominations of \u003cstrong\u003e10, 25, and 50 cents\u003c\/strong\u003e. This 1874 10-cent note features the portrait of \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam M. Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e, who served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1849 to 1850 under President Zachary Taylor. By 1876, the U.S. government had restored sufficient silver coinage to circulation that fractional paper currency was no longer needed, and the program was officially discontinued — making Fifth Issue notes like this 1874 example among the \u003cstrong\u003elast fractional currency ever issued by the United States\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThese notes earned the nickname \u003cstrong\u003e\"shinplasters\"\u003c\/strong\u003e from Civil War-era soldiers, who reportedly used the small, often-tattered notes as padding for the inside of their boots and shin guards. Surviving examples in any condition are increasingly rare today, particularly given the fragile nature of the paper, the heavy circulation they endured, and the fact that millions were redeemed and destroyed by the Treasury once coinage returned. As a result, \u003cstrong\u003eany genuine 1874 Fractional Currency note represents a tangible piece of post-Civil War and Reconstruction-era American history\u003c\/strong\u003e — a category of U.S. currency that lasted only 14 years and has never been produced since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis 1874 note is securely housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly mounted within a \u003cstrong\u003ewood display frame with a black matted background\u003c\/strong\u003e, ready for immediate display on a desk, shelf, mantel, or wall. The framed setup protects the fragile 19th-century paper while allowing full visibility of its design, vibrant red seal, Meredith portrait, and historic Treasury inscriptions. As with all MetalStacks offerings, the note has been carefully handled and verified for authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBecause only one example is available, the exact note shown — including its individual condition, wear patterns, and historical character — is the 1874 note you will receive. Please note that condition reflects authentic 150-year-old circulation wear and is part of what makes this artifact a genuine survivor of the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor additional details or collector inquiries, please contact MetalStacks at \u003cstrong\u003e(561) 529-3001\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MetalStacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48141616447733,"sku":"MS10CENTFC1874CAT14","price":89.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0609\/4444\/9781\/files\/MSSTACK4-1_1_a7957182-989e-4bae-b0c1-e001454a00d0.png?v=1778535095","url":"https:\/\/metalstacks.net\/products\/1874-10-fractional-currency-fifth-issue-meredith-red-seal-note-psv-20","provider":"Metalstacks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}