Macerated Currency
Rare "American Heraldic Eagle" Macerated Currency Plaque
Macerated United States Currency Bank Notes, "American Heraldic Eagle" Design Plaque, Choice Extremely Fine.
Circa 1900, rare original, spread-wing Federal Eagle design Medallion Plaque made of Macerated U.S. Currency from the United States Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. and in has eye appeal due to its outstanding condition. This Macerated Currency Plaque is die cut in the shape of a Federal Eagle with a shield breast and clutching arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other measuring about 3" from wing tip to wing tip. The design is identical to that seen on many U.S. coins from 1807 to 1906. There is no damage or repairs of any kind and there is no surface wear of any kind. Holes in each wingtip are original and would have been used to hang the medallion from a ribbon. The display frame measures 4" x 3.25" which appears to be original has some wear to the blue colored, textured tape binding only.
It is housed in what appears to be its original "display" frame, inset to shape, cut out paper board "matte" and encased within 2 pieces of glass that are bound with a blue, textured paper tape. The back side of the medallion, visible through the glass, shows the original, Treasury Department Label that reads, "Made of United States Bank Notes redeemed and macerated at the U. S. Treasury, Washington, D. C. Estimated $1,000".
The Medallion is one of the rarer and more attractive such Macerated money souvenirs we have come across. Its thin construction make it a candidate to easily be damaged but the "framing" has preserved this rather delicate construct in near mint condition. The strike is strong and crisp and the surface retains its original patina with no soiling, staining, mold or discoloration of any kind.
Between the mid 1870s to 1928, worn and mutilated United States Currency Banknotes were returned to the Treasury Department where they were reduced to paper pulp and made into Souvenirs for sale to the public. By the 1890s, the pulp was sold to various contractors such as the National Currency Souvenir Co., where it was used to create souvenir busts of prominent Americans, historical images and replicas of various national monuments.