Confederate States Paper Money: Civil War Currency from the South (Paperback)

by Arlie R Slabaugh (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This engaging, easy-to-use and even easier-to-carry updated paper money reference reads like an intriguing Civil War tale, without compromising any of the up-to-date market values and identifying data. Accurately identify and assess of both Confederate States and Southern States issues of the Civil War, and the Reconstruction period, including uncut sheets, advertising notes, errors and facsimile notes, with this new edition of this one-of-a-kind guide.

About the Author
This timeless reference is based on the original work of Arlie R. Slabaugh, a dedicated collector and researcher, who specialized in this critical time in history. This updated reference also includes the work of additional well-respected experts in the field, including the Tom Denly, Richard D. Doty, Eric Newman, Hugh Shull, Chester Krause, the late Grover Criswell and several others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; 11 edition (December 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896897060
• ISBN-13: 978-0896897069
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #227,700 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Once a great book, now only packed full of errors, November 20, 2008

By	Tech Prof "Tech Prof" (N.H.) - See all my reviews

November 20, 2008

GOOD NEWS:

This is the 1atest edition of what was "the Arlie Slabaugh versions" except now with a different editor (George S. Cuhaj). I have very fond memories of the earlier versions because it is one of them that got me into the hobby of CSA Note collecting. This new version now has some of the southern states notes included too. The new content is a nice improvement. However, that is where the good news ends.

BAD NEWS:

This edition is practically the same content as in the 10th edition except for the updated prices and the addition of many editing or printing errors. For example:

On page 67, the next note in the series should be a type 66, but there again is a type 64, description and photo but the prices are for a type 66. Where is the type 66? The error is so obvious that anyone who simply opens up to these two pages can't miss it because the type 64 on the previous page is done correctly. Image how confusing this would be for a novice?

Another gross error can also be found on page 50, type 42, where the picture is actually of a type 24 (from page 40).

Another error is also on page 47, where there is a description of a type 37 with values but NO PICTURE AT ALL. Where did it go?

And yet another problem is that while the entire southern states notes section is printed in color, only some of the CSA National Notes are. Most of them are still in B&W, however on the front of the book it states in the upper right hand corner "Now In Color".

The above are the errors I found in the less than 5 minutes after first opening the book and given the short time, it would not surprise me if there were even more.

There is also one other thing that is very unprofessional and that is many of the photos are printed in different sizes even if the notes are, in real life, the same size. For example, on page 46, the type 35 and 36 are both in black and white and on the same page but the type 36 photo is much smaller than the type 35. Why is that? This type of different sizing is seen throughout the rest of the book, except for the "states notes" section.

SUMMARY:

Given the number of problems I can not recommend this book. Previous versions were done extremely well and I can only hope that the publisher will stop the presses and go back and fix the problems and make it again the great book it once was. At a quick glance, it appears a lot of good work was done in the states notes section but the CSA National Notes was simple glanced at and clearly not even checked. I can't rule out that I might have received an early publishers review copy that should never have been released but other reviewers will confirm or deny that.

I will either be returning my copy of the book or keep it as an example on how not to publish a book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cannot Recommend, January 15, 2009

By	Long Time Coolector - See all my reviews

This book is riddled with editing errors. These errors are so frequent, it makes one wonder if the book is at all reliable, especially pricing. I would not buy this book until a revised edition is published.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Reference Guide, June 23, 2009

By	Crystal Crawford (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

Confederate States Paper Money 11th Edition is a nice reference guide for the beginner collector or seasoned collector of obsolete southern currency. The book is edited by George S.Cuhaj who has done a nice job with detailed descriptions and very nice color photos of different currency.There are over 350 photos of obsolete southern currency and six different grades of pricing throughout the guide.At the beginning of each state there is info regarding the state during the civil war which is very informative and interesting.The guide lets you know about counterfeits and facsimiles and other information that is very useful when collecting.

There are a couple of errors in the guide,but nothing that cannot be overcome. All in all, this guide should be on every collectors shelf and to be used in determining the collector's next purchase of obsolete southern states currency. This guide has been very useful in helping me with price and condition when purchasing obsolete southern currency and the guide is always with me when I am looking to make my next purchase. I rate the guide a 4/5, I would give it a 5/5 except for a couple of small errors, but there is no other guide that comes close to this guide.