Hokiefan's Collection Of Arkansas Obsoletes, Scrip And National Bank Notes

Thanks jbuck and MNP!

Sorry you had to pay more than you wanted, but still very nice!

Here are two notes issued by The Bank of the State of Arkansas I just picked up. The first is a demand note from the branch in Batesville, and the other is a post note from the branch in Fayetteville. As noted on the holders, both are plate notes in Haxby, and the Batesville note is the plate note in Whitman. Though not mentioned on the holders, they are both also plate notes in Matt Rothert's "Arkansas Obsolete Notes and Scrip" reference.

This bank was created soon after Arkansas became a state in 1836, but by 1839 had suspended specie payments and was liquidated in 1843. The Batesville demand note was apparently redeemed by a broker in Louisville, Kentucky, probably at a very significant discount. The Fayetteville post note, payable one year after issue, had the interest statement crossed out.

Here's the demand note. I find the vignettes very interesting; to the left is a group of women with buckets, maybe getting water. To the far right is a woman standing in, what appears to me, very choppy water with dark clouds in the background. Then, at the top is a group of riders roping cattle. The prominent rider in the front appears to me to be a woman. Once the notes are in hand, I'll have to look at these a bit closer and see if I can find out more about them.


Here's the post note which has more typical vignettes.