Local Storage seems to be disabled in your browser.
For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Local Storage in your browser.
3-pc Set 1883–1884-O Morgan Silver Dollars BU & $5 State of Louisiana Baby Bond
- Qty Credit Card Wire
- 1+ $189.95 $184.35
Morgan’s Lady and Louisiana’s Baby Combine for a Silver Dollar & Paper Currency Set
Leave it to some slick, fast-talking Louisiana lawmakers to find a way to stick it to the Federal Government. It happened after the Civil War during the Reconstruction Era. Much of the South was left reeling and many people needed all the help they could get in their efforts to get their farms back up and running and to rebuild their homes & businesses. But still piqued at the states of the former Confederacy, the Federal Government placed many restrictions on Southern states, including a hefty tax on state-issued bank notes.
Louisiana “Baby Bonds” That Fooled the Feds
Struggling to rebuild its economy, Louisiana came up with an ingenious way to circumvent the restrictions. To get around paying the tax, Louisiana lawmakers fooled the government by producing a $5 “bond” that was really a state-issued $5 bill! These $5 Louisiana notes were made with interest-bearing coupons to disguise them as bonds! Used like regular bank notes, they became known as “Baby Bonds” due to their vignette of a young girl wearing a bonnet. The ultimate “Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!” protest, these Louisiana Baby Bonds circulated right under the noses of federal agents and carpet baggers and were accepted as legal tender along with new Federal currency notes that were also circulating in the South.
Burn Baby, Burn!
One Louisiana lawmaker got himself a little too involved in the circulation of these bonds. During the 1880s, Louisiana’s State Treasurer Ed Bunker managed to get his hands on the original plates used to print the bonds and began a counterfeiting operation. His scheme came to a crashing halt after authorities discovered around $300,000 in counterfeit Baby Bonds with identical serial numbers in his safe deposit box. Bunker had the last laugh however, as he stayed a step ahead of the law by fleeing to Brazil before they closed in on him. It’s possible the phrase “Burn Baby, Burn” originated when the government burned Bunker’s stash of counterfeit Baby Bonds.
Morgan Silver Dollars From the New Orleans Mint
We’ve paired one of these seldom-seen bonds with a pair of Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Morgan Silver Dollars struck in 1883 and 1884 at the New Orleans Mint to create a fascinating three-piece Louisiana set that paints a vivid picture of life during Reconstruction-era America. Your set will also come beautifully housed in a presentation case along with a Certificate of Authenticity. We’re likely to “burn” through our small supply of these sets so grab yours now!
COIN HIGHLIGHTS:
- AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR AND COLLECTED COIN – Designed by U.S. Mint Engraver George T. Morgan, the Morgan Silver Dollar was struck from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. Today it is one of the most popular and heavily collected of all United States coins.
- NEW ORLEANS MINT MORGANS – The two Morgan Silver Dollars in this set were struck in 1883 and 1884 at the New Orleans Mint and feature the famous “O” mint mark.
- THE FAMOUS LOUISIANA BABY BOND – The state of Louisiana avoided paying Federal taxes on state bank notes by issuing bank notes disguised as bonds with interest-bearing coupons. This $5 issue was nicknamed the “Baby Bond” due to its vignette of a baby girl wearing a bonnet.
- STRUCK IN FINE AMERICAN SILVER – Morgan Silver Dollars were struck in 26.73 grams of 90% silver – fine American silver mined from the famous Comstock Lode near Virginia City, Nevada – the richest silver mine in American history.
- LEGAL TENDER AMERICAN COINAGE – Each Morgan Silver Dollar was $1 legal tender.
- BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 1883 and 1884 New Orleans Mint Morgan Silver Dollars come in gleaming Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.
- THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING MORGAN – Despite millions of Morgan Silver Dollars being struck from 1878-1921, most were lost in circulation or melted down in mass silver meltings. In fact, coin experts believe that only 15% of all Morgan ever struck remain in existence today!
Closing Catch a glimpse of what life was like during Reconstruction-era America with this three-piece set that combines 1883-and 1884 Morgan Silver Dollars from the New Orleans Mint with a $5 State of Louisiana Baby Bond!
Availability | In Stock |
---|---|
Year of Issue | 1884, 1883 |
Country | United States |
Composition | Silver |
Purity | N/A, 0.9, 0.9000 |
Condition | Uncirculated |
Denomination | 1.00 |
---|---|
Currency Type | Dollar |
Mint Name | New Orleans - O |
Coin Weight | 26.73 Grams - g |
Dimensions | 38.1mm |
Restricted Payment Methods | Split Pay |