M. G. Sitalo (and J. Bates)
Confederate Depositary Officer · Historical - American Civil War / Numismatics
Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) Treasury Department
Era
Civil War Era - dated 1864
Item Type
Confederate States of America Bond Receipt / Treasury Document
Condition
Very Good; the paper shows expected toning and edge wear consistent with age, though the signatures remain bold and highly legible with minimal fading.
Rarity
Moderate; while many CSA documents survive, specific receipts for local depositaries like Charleston are sought after by regional historians and numismatists.
Overall Assessment
A genuine and well-preserved example of American Civil War administrative history, providing an excellent bridge between autograph collecting and numismatics.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic; the signatures show natural 19th-century cursive flow and oxidative ink characteristics consistent with the period and document type.
Signature Style
19th-century Spencerian-influenced script with professional flourishes; includes the titular notation 'Asst Depositary' below the primary signature.
Signature Characteristics
Strong upstrokes, looping capital 'M' and 'S', and a continuous 'L' flourish. The ink density varies naturally where the pen was dipped or lifted.
Ink & Medium
Iron gall ink on mid-19th century wood-pulp or rag paper; showing characteristic browning and slight acidity-related bleed.
Item Description
A fractional bond receipt or treasury certificate issued under the Act of February 17, 1864, featuring a hand-written payee (Thos W. White), location (Charleston), and official countersignatures.
Estimated Value
$150 - $350 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches known CSA Treasury signatures from the 1864 tax and bond acts found in national archives and private collections.
Authentication Tips
Look for the metallic sheen or 'haloing' effect of iron gall ink and the deep indentation of the steel nib pen on the paper fibers.
Certification Recommendation
University Archives or specialty Civil War authentication experts; for currency-related items, PMG or PCGS Banknote could certify the paper.
Red Flags
No significant red flags; the ink aging (oxidation) is impossible to replicate perfectly with modern pigments.
Provenance Notes
Value is enhanced if traced to a specific family estate or a known collection of Civil War financial paper.
Historical Context
Signed during the final year of the Confederacy when the economy was experiencing hyperinflation and the government was desperately issuing bonds to fund the war effort.
Market Trends
Stable; Civil War financial history remains a consistent niche market with a dedicated base of fractional currency and bond collectors.
Investment Potential
Moderate long-term hold; as an authentic artifact of the CSA financial collapse, it holds educational and historical value beyond just the signature.
Similar Autographs
Christopher Memminger (CSA Secretary of Treasury) or George Trenholm; other local Charleston city officials from the 1860s.
Display & Preservation
Must be kept in a UV-protected sleeve and acid-free folder; iron gall ink is particularly sensitive to high humidity which can cause 'ink burn' through the paper.
Interesting Facts
Many of these documents were signed by women or lower-level clerks acting as 'designated signers' because the volume of treasury notes and bonds needed was so high.