Customer Reviews

Confederate States Paper Money: Civil War Currency from the South

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

I quickly found that this book is so full of errors that I simply cannot trust the information to be accurate. Many errors are very evident, but what about the ones that are not? Wish I could get my money back on this one.

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.

I was looking forward to this book. I was disappointed within just minutes of examination of the book. It has so many errors in the Confederate section. Wrong photos, a missing photo and one photo used three times attributed to three different notes. There are much better books. This is basically a retread of Arlie Slabaugh's book but this revised effort was not executed well. A beginner or novice collector could be easily confused as so many errors have been made putting this book together. It's a step backwards from previous editions. One star is all I can give this book. A sloppy effort.

I had no Idea there were so many printings of money. It would lead you to think that every stated printed their own money. A great book for collectors.

LOTS OF INFORMATION AND ALOT OF HISTORY ABOUT CONFEDERATE CURRENCY. NEVER REALIZED THERE WERE THAT MANY DIFFERENT KINDS

Confederate currency comes in two general categories--currency of the Confederacy (comparable to currency of the Federal government) and currency of individual Southern states. With a broad and deep background in paper money (as well as numismatics), Cuhaj covers both of these comprehensively and in detail. Collectors in this field from beginners to advanced can use the well-organized information in clearly-titled chapter headings to suit their particular levels and interests. Over half of the more than 350 photos of bills (front sides) are in their natural color with their details clear (for further study with a microscope if desired). As important to collectors, especially beginners, to know about are counterfeits and copies. Cuhaj goes into these under "bogus notes" and copies. At the other end of the price and desirability spectrum are notes with errors, also covered by Cuhaj. (As with stamps, currency with errors often has the highest prices.)

First chapters review the Civil War with attention to aspects of Southern society, commerce, and military as an introduction to the images and symbols found on any of the paper notes. The two general categories--Confederacy and individual Southern states--have separate catalogs with prices for different grades from good to extra fine and then uncut and notes on visual elements of each bill and historical background.

This is the latest edition of this recognized authoritative reference which has become a staple in the field for containing all one needs for a confident entry through specialized collecting.

Over 350 color photos and prices in up to six grades of condition offer complete coverage of Upham and other notes and fine history about the Confederacy and individual Southern states, in the process of producing a useful identification and value guide for money collectors. An outstanding survey highly recommended for any collector's library.

This book is great way to know if you are paying to much or got a great deal, a must for any collector of this currency