Macerated Currency
Macerated United States Legal Tender Paper Currency Mold of the White House "Bale of Paper" BEP Produced Rarity
Macerated United States Currency Bank Notes, Extremely Rare "Bale of Paper" Design with an image of the White House on top, and a Bureau of Engraving and Printing label on the bottom, Very Fine.
Rare and unusual form of Macerated Currency, its design made to resemble a Bale of Macerated Paper, but looks more like folded wads of money. This bundle, measuring 2.25" tall x 3.25" wide x .75" thick, has a Postcard image of the White House on its top and an official original BEP printed label on its bottom, all of which is held together by two steel wires. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing label reads: "More than 100 Bales of this U. S. Macerated Money, each weighing 250 pounds, are turned out Daily by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Estimated value $1,000." There are some trivial scuffs or bumping to the corners, otherwise this bundle or "Bale" is pretty much as made. Exceedingly Rare and desirable. An item for the most sophisticated of Macerated United States Currency Bank Note collectors.
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.