Last Updated: January 8, 2026
Confederate currency has been sitting in your drawer for years. You inherited Civil War-era notes from a relative’s estate, and now you’re ready to convert this piece of history into cash. But where do serious collectors and dealers operate in the Bay Area? And how do you avoid leaving hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars on the table?
Finding reputable buyers for Confederate paper money in San Francisco, CA requires understanding which venues specialize in historical currency, how to evaluate your notes before selling, and which selling methods maximize your return. This guide provides concrete options for San Francisco collectors looking to sell Confederate currency, from local dealers to national auction houses.
Quick Answer: Your Confederate Currency Selling Options
In the San Francisco Bay Area, you can sell Confederate money through specialized currency dealers, auction houses that handle historical paper money, and consignment services. Local options include dealers in the Financial District and Mission Bay areas, while national auction houses provide broader exposure for rare or high-grade notes.
Key takeaways for selling Confederate notes:
- Early-issue notes (1861-1862) typically command significantly higher prices than common 1864 types
- Professional grading by services like PMG dramatically increases marketability and value for high-grade specimens
- Local dealers offer immediate payment but may pay less than consignment through specialized auctions
- Condition, rarity, and authentication are the three critical factors affecting Confederate currency values
Understanding Confederate Currency Before You Sell
Before exploring where to sell Confederate money to San Francisco collectors, you need to understand what affects value. The Confederate States of America issued approximately 72 major types and hundreds of sub-types of paper currency between 1861 and 1864 to finance its government during the Civil War. While this currency became worthless as legal tender after the Confederacy’s defeat, the notes gained significant value as historical collectibles.
Values vary dramatically based on issue date, denomination, condition, and scarcity. An 1861 $100 note in uncirculated condition might fetch several thousand dollars at auction, while common 1864 issues in average condition might be worth $20-50. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right selling venue.
What Collectors Look For
Serious buyers evaluate Confederate notes on several criteria. Issue date matters significantly—early war issues from 1861-1862 are considerably scarcer than late-war 1864 printings. Many early notes were printed by Northern firms like National Bank Note Company and American Bank Note Company before federal authorities shut down Confederate contracts.
Condition grading follows standard numismatic scales, assessing paper quality, folds, tears, margins, stains, and any restoration work. High-grade notes—those with minimal wear, strong original paper, and intact margins—can command multiples of what heavily circulated examples bring. Third-party grading services like Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) provide standardized authentication and grading that serious collectors rely on.
Authentication and Reproductions
Confederate currency was widely reproduced for souvenirs, especially in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Distinguishing authentic period notes from later facsimiles is critical when you’re ready to sell. Reputable dealers and auction houses have the expertise to identify original notes versus reproductions, contemporary counterfeits (which themselves can be collectible), and altered specimens.
When working with San Francisco coin buyers and currency specialists, bringing any existing documentation—provenance, prior appraisals, or family history—adds credibility and can enhance value. Professional coin appraisals in San Francisco often include authentication verification for historical paper money.
Local Selling Options in San Francisco, CA
The Bay Area offers several venues for selling Confederate currency, each with distinct advantages depending on your notes’ value and your timeline.
Specialized Currency Dealers
San Francisco’s Financial District and surrounding neighborhoods host dealers who handle historical paper money. When searching for where to sell Confederate money locally, prioritize dealers with specific expertise in U.S. currency and Civil War memorabilia. Some firms, like United States Stamp Company in the San Francisco Bay Area, explicitly buy and consign paper currency including Confederate notes as part of their historical paper business.
These dealers typically offer two paths: direct purchase for immediate payment, or consignment services where they market your material through their network. Direct purchase provides speed and certainty, though you’ll typically receive wholesale pricing. Consignment may yield higher returns but involves commission fees (usually 10-20%) and a longer timeline.
In our experience working with Bay Area collectors, dealers near the intersection of Market Street and Montgomery Street often handle estate liquidations that include Confederate currency alongside other numismatic material. The proximity to Bank of America and Wells Fargo regional offices means these dealers regularly work with trust officers and estate attorneys managing collections.
Coin Shops and Numismatic Specialists
Many established coin dealers also handle paper money, including Confederate notes. San Francisco Coin Buyers, along with other Bay Area numismatic firms, evaluate historical currency as part of broader precious metals and collectibles services. When you sell coins in San Francisco, asking about Confederate currency capabilities helps identify dealers with the right expertise.
Not all coin dealers are equally versed in Confederate paper money nuances. Look for dealers who can discuss specific type numbers, signature varieties, and plate letters—technical details that indicate genuine expertise. Dealers in zip codes 94104 and 94105 (Financial District and South of Market) often have stronger historical currency knowledge given the area’s concentration of estate buyers and auction previews.
Northern California Currency Shows
Regional coin and currency shows bring multiple dealers together under one roof, allowing you to obtain several offers in a single visit. The American Numismatic Association and other organizations maintain directories of upcoming shows where Confederate notes are actively bought and sold. These events typically occur at venues in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Oakland, making them accessible for Bay Area residents.
National Auction Houses for Premium Confederate Notes
For scarce or high-grade Confederate currency, national auction houses provide access to specialized collectors nationwide. Major firms like Heritage Auctions regularly feature Confederate notes in their currency sales, including rare early-war issues and high-grade specimens.
When Auction Consignment Makes Sense
National auction exposure becomes particularly valuable for notes with estimated values exceeding $500-1,000. Recent currency auctions have featured 1861 $100 notes in PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated holders and early-issue $500 and $1,000 notes, demonstrating strong institutional interest in premium Confederate material.
Auction houses typically require professional grading for higher-end material. Working with a local dealer who can facilitate grading submission through PMG or PCGS Currency simplifies this process. The cost of professional grading (typically $20-75 per note depending on service level) is generally worthwhile for notes likely to grade Very Fine or better.
Understanding Auction Terms and Commissions
Auction consignment involves seller commissions (typically 10-20% of hammer price) and buyer premiums (additional 15-20% paid by purchasers). You’ll also need to factor in insurance, photography, and cataloging fees, though premier auction houses often waive these for valuable consignments. The timeline from consignment to payment typically spans 3-6 months, depending on auction scheduling.
Common Mistakes When Selling Confederate Currency
Sellers frequently make avoidable errors that cost them money or expose them to fraud risks.
Accepting the First Offer Without Comparison
Confederate note values vary significantly based on dealer expertise and inventory needs. A dealer who recently purchased similar material may offer less than one actively seeking your specific type. Obtaining at least three opinions—whether from local dealers, national buyers, or auction house specialists—provides market validation.
Unlike modern currency which follows spot metal prices, Confederate notes are true collectibles with subjective values influenced by current demand, recent auction results, and individual dealer knowledge. What one dealer dismisses as “common” another might recognize as a scarce variety worth considerably more.
Attempting to Clean or “Improve” Notes
Well-meaning sellers sometimes attempt to remove stains, flatten folds, or otherwise “improve” Confederate notes before selling. These efforts almost invariably reduce value rather than enhance it. Professional conservators at major auction houses can identify such alterations, and grading services will note them—often resulting in lower grades and reduced marketability.
Original, unmolested notes in their natural state are always preferable to “improved” specimens. Even notes with obvious condition issues like tears, edge damage, or staining retain value based on their authentic, unaltered state. When seeking coin buyers who provide written appraisals, legitimate professionals will assess your Confederate currency as-is without suggesting cleaning or alteration.
Overlooking Documentation and Provenance
Any documentation accompanying your Confederate notes adds value and authenticity. Family letters describing how notes were acquired, estate inventory documents, prior appraisals, or old collection labels all provide provenance that serious collectors appreciate. Before selling, gather any related paperwork, photographs, or correspondence that establishes history.
Best Approach: Matching Notes to the Right Venue
Strategic sellers match their Confederate currency to the most appropriate selling venue based on value, condition, and urgency.
Common Late-War Issues: Local Direct Sale
If you have typical 1864 Confederate notes in average circulated condition, local direct purchase makes practical sense. These notes exist in large quantities and are worth $20-75 depending on type and condition. The convenience of immediate payment outweighs the marginal additional return consignment might bring.
Contact 2-3 dealers in the San Francisco area, send clear photos of both sides, and request offers. Most established dealers can provide preliminary valuations within 24-48 hours based on images, with final offers contingent on in-person inspection.
Mixed Collections: Dealer Consignment
Collections that combine Confederate notes with other Civil War material—Union currency, war-date documents, letters, photographs, or bonds—often sell more effectively as themed groups. Dealers specializing in historical paper and ephemera can market such collections to buyers specifically seeking comprehensive Civil War holdings.
Consignment through a dealer who handles paper currency, historical documents, and Civil War collectibles allows your material to reach the right audience without requiring you to manage multiple sales channels. Expect 60-120 days from consignment to final settlement, with commission rates of 15-20% typical for mixed-lot consignments.
Rare or High-Grade Specimens: Professional Grading Plus Auction
Early-date notes (particularly 1861 issues), high denominations ($500, $1,000), and any notes in Extremely Fine or better condition warrant professional evaluation and likely grading. A two-step approach maximizes returns:
First, work with a knowledgeable local dealer for preliminary assessment. They can identify which notes merit the cost of third-party grading and facilitate submission to PMG or PCGS Currency. Second, consign certified notes through a major currency auction with proven Confederate note results. This path involves more time and upfront cost but typically yields the highest net return for genuinely scarce material.
One contrarian insight for Bay Area sellers: San Francisco collectors tend to prefer early-war issues with connections to Northern printing firms, reflecting the city’s Union sympathies during the Civil War. Notes printed by American Bank Note Company in New York before federal authorities halted Confederate contracts carry particular historical interest locally—something national dealers may not emphasize as strongly.
Step-by-Step: Preparing Confederate Notes for Sale
Proper preparation increases both the speed and value of your transaction.
Document Your Holdings
Create clear, well-lit photographs of both sides of each note. Use a flatbed scanner if available, as the resulting images show detail better than phone cameras. Include any identifying marks: denomination, date, type number if known, and any visible signatures or plate letters.
For notes already in holders or sleeves, photograph them without removing them—handling increases risk of damage. Modern acid-free holders protect notes and preserve condition during storage and shipping.
Research Preliminary Values
Consult recent auction results for similar notes to establish baseline expectations. The Confederate States dollar Wikipedia article provides historical context, while specialized currency auction archives show actual realized prices for comparable specimens.
Remember that condition dramatically affects value. An 1863 $10 note in Very Fine condition might bring $100, while the same type in Fine condition may be worth only $30-40. Understanding this relationship helps you evaluate dealer offers intelligently.
Contact Multiple Buyers
Reach out to at least three potential buyers: a local dealer or two, perhaps a regional auction house, and if appropriate, a major national currency auction firm. Provide the same information to each—clear photos, descriptions, and any known history—to ensure comparable offers.
When contacting dealers, ask specific questions: Do they buy outright or prefer consignment? What is their typical turnaround for evaluation and payment? Can they provide references or examples of similar material they’ve handled? Professional dealers readily answer these questions and provide detailed explanations of their processes.
For comprehensive insights into Bay Area numismatic markets, understanding San Francisco coin dealers helps you navigate the broader collectibles landscape that includes Confederate currency.
Understand Payment Terms
Clarify payment methods and timing before committing. Direct purchases should result in immediate payment—typically by check, bank transfer, or cash for in-person transactions. Consignment arrangements should include written agreements specifying commission rates, marketing plans, minimum acceptable prices, and settlement timelines.
Legitimate dealers provide clear, written terms. Be cautious of buyers who are vague about payment timing or reluctant to put terms in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Confederate money worth today?
Confederate currency values range from $15-30 for common 1864 issues in circulated condition to several thousand dollars for rare early-war types in high grades. Factors include issue date, denomination, condition, and scarcity. Early 1861-1862 notes typically command premiums, while late-war 1864 issues are abundant and generally worth less. Professional evaluation is essential for accurate valuation.
Where can I sell old Confederate bills in San Francisco?
San Francisco area options include specialized currency dealers in the Financial District, numismatic firms that handle paper money alongside coins, and consignment services that market to national collectors. For common notes, local dealers offer quick transactions. For rare or high-grade specimens, consigning through auction houses with proven Confederate currency expertise often yields better results.
Should I get Confederate money graded before selling?
Professional grading makes sense for notes likely to grade Very Fine or better, particularly early-date issues and high denominations. Grading costs $20-75 per note but provides authentication, standardized condition assessment, and protective holders that serious collectors value. For common circulated notes worth under $100, grading costs typically exceed the value enhancement.
Are Confederate bills worth anything if they’re damaged?
Even damaged Confederate notes retain value based on their historical significance and collectibility. Heavy damage—missing pieces, significant tears, or major staining—reduces value substantially compared to intact specimens, but rare types and early issues maintain collector interest regardless. Avoid attempting repairs, as these typically reduce value further. Sell damaged notes as-is to knowledgeable buyers who understand their market.
How can I tell if my Confederate money is real or a reproduction?
Authentic Confederate notes have specific paper characteristics, printing details, and signatures that experts can verify. Many reproductions exist—some clearly marked as facsimiles, others more deceptive. Professional dealers and grading services examine paper composition, printing techniques, and design elements to authenticate notes. If unsure, have notes examined by an experienced currency dealer before selling.
Conclusion
Selling Confederate money in the San Francisco area requires matching your specific notes to appropriate buyers based on rarity, condition, and value. Common late-war issues sell efficiently through local dealers who offer immediate payment, while rare early-war types and high-grade specimens benefit from professional grading and national auction exposure.
The Bay Area provides solid options for San Francisco collectors looking to sell Confederate money—from specialized currency dealers in zip codes 94104 and 94111 to regional auction houses and national firms accessible through local intermediaries. Success depends on accurate assessment, proper documentation, and strategic venue selection.
Before accepting any offer, obtain multiple opinions, verify dealer credentials, and ensure you understand all terms. Whether your Confederate notes represent modest historical curiosities or potentially valuable rarities, informed selling maximizes both your financial return and satisfaction with the transaction.
Sources and References
This article draws on information from several authoritative sources on Confederate currency and numismatic markets:
- Wikipedia – Confederate States Dollar (historical context and issuance details)
- Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) – Confederate note grading standards and population reports
- Heritage Auctions – Recent Confederate currency auction results and market data
- American Numismatic Association – Dealer directories and show information
Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about selling Confederate currency and should not be construed as specific investment, tax, or financial advice. Confederate note values fluctuate based on market conditions, and actual prices depend on numerous factors including condition, rarity, and current demand. Consult qualified numismatic professionals for valuations specific to your holdings.