RARE 1862 Laconia NH Belknap County Bank 10 Cents Merchant Scrip - Black Cancellation Mark - New Hampshire Ten Cent Remainder Merchant Note

This listing is for the photographed 1862 Belknap County Bank 10 Cents Obsolete Merchant Scrip Remainder Note. This is a remainder note, meaning that it was never circulated, as identified by the black/brown ink cancellation mark over the signature, which was added to ensure that it could not be forged at a later date. Located in Laconia, New Hampshire. The printed issue date for this note is December 1st, 1862. A vignette printed in the lower left corner of the note features barrels, a caduceus, and a cornucopia laid on the shore of a port with two sailing ships in the background. Almost Uncirculated (AU) grade/condition, little to no signs of circulation, crisp note! Remainder notes from this bank are rare and highly sought after among collectors, making this note an excellent addition to any collection!

This scrip note would be used similar to a modern-day coupon, giving the customer a discount of the determined amount off of their purchase of more than 1 dollar at the merchant's store. Scrip notes were popularly used during the Civil War and the aftermath of the economic panic of 1857 in an attempt to boost sales for local businesses. 

The Belknap County Bank was established in 1846 in Laconia, New Hampshire. The town was quickly becoming a hub of manufacturing and commerce within the state, likely the reasoning behind the bank's establishment. The bank operated on the first floor of one of the buildings in Bank Square in downtown Laconia. The bank operated there for 20 years, becoming an important financial institution in serving the entire Belknap County. The bank backed several local businesses in Laconia, who issued scrip notes such as this one in an attempt to boost sales. The Belknap County Bank was replaced by the Laconia National Bank after the enactment of the National Bank Act of 1865. The National Bank commenced operations in May of 1866 in the same location that the county bank once operated.

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RARE 1862 Laconia NH Belknap County Bank 10 Cents Merchant Scrip - Black Cancellation Mark - New Hampshire Ten Cent Remainder Merchant Note