Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Note, Private Bank |
Common Name |
Currency |
Catalog Number |
1952.45.4 |
Maker |
Tanner, Kearny & Tiebout |
Date |
11/13/1818 |
Material(s) |
Paper |
Dimensions |
H-2.813 W-6.438 inches |
Description |
This is a Frankfort Bank five dollar note, November 13, 1818 issue, plate A, in black ink on beige paper. The serial number is 30883. It is located on the top edge right of center and the plate number at left. The central image is a shepherdess with a staff leaning on a rock and sheep in the background. On both sides of this is a sort of basket with fruit and flowers in it and an oval in the center. The oval on the left has the number "5" in it. The oval on the right has the Roman numeral "V" in it. Below this is inscribed in a variety of fonts "THE President Directors & Co. / of the FRANKFORT BANK promise / to pay to [here a line blank with the name James L. Hickman hand written in ink] or Bearer on demand five / Dollars / FRANKFORT 13 Nov: 1818" (date hand written in ink except the first 18 of "1818"). Under this are the signatures of the cashier and president. Between the signatures is an irregular shape shaded with horizontal lines and the word "FIVE" over it. Both short edges have a vertical patterned rectangle. The left one has a long patterned oval in it with the word "FIVE" in a light color. The right rectangle has a long patterned octagon in it with "KENTUCKY" at center. The makers mark is on the bottom edge "Tanner, Kearny & Tiebout." The reverse is blank. |
Notes |
In 1817, branches of the Second Bank of the U.S. were established at Lexington and Louisville and the issue of private notes was prohibited by the legislature. The conservative nature of the 2nd Bank and a perceived shortage of currency led to pressure on state government to create money. Forty-six independent banks were chartered in January, 1818, authorized to create $26 million in new circulation, helping citizens repay their debts and speculate on land. These banks became known as the "40 thieves." By February 1820, these independent banks had all been suspended. Tanner, Kearny & Tiebout was an early firm in Philadelphia that did work from about 1817 to 1821. The most well known notes they made were for the Frankfort Bank in Kentucky. |
Collection |
William H. Kelly Collection |
People |
Tanner, Kearny & Tiebout Frankfort Bank Hickman, James L. |
Subjects |
Money Bank notes Bank note vignettes Currency Banks |
Search Terms |
Frankfort (Ky.) Kentucky Philadelphia (Pa.) |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |