CATASAUQUA  New York 

Bank of Catasauqua 

10¢        November 1st, 1862 

Haxby PA-55 UNL 10a

~ 6 3/8 X 2 5/8  inches

Issued on November 1, 1862, this 10‑cent note from the Bank of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania reflects the severe coin shortages that gripped the North during the Civil War. As silver and copper coins disappeared from circulation—hoarded or melted for bullion—banks stepped in with fractional paper currency to support everyday commerce. This note was redeemable only when presented in sums of one dollar, underscoring its role as a temporary substitute rather than permanent money. Printed by Hosford & Ketcham of New York, its bold red typography and detailed engraving were designed to deter counterfeiting and inspire confidence. Such notes circulated widely in industrial towns like Catasauqua, where iron production and wartime demand strained local economies. Today, it stands as a vivid artifact of wartime monetary improvisation.

Rare offering!