Daily AncestorConfederate currency
Confederate currency was the paper money of the Confederate States, issued from 1861; it lost most of its value during the war and was worthless after 1865.
The Confederacy issued notes to millions of Southerners, betting that victory would make them good. Heavy printing and counterfeits brought one of the worst inflations in American history: by the end of 1863 a Confederate dollar was quoted at about six cents in gold, and by the war's end the notes were worthless.
Estate sales, inventories and receipts from 1862 to 1865 priced in Confederate money can show huge sums for ordinary goods. Do not read them as a sign of wealth without comparing prices of the same months.
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Daily Ancestor. "Confederate currency." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/money-measures/confederate-currency. Last checked 2026-10-03.