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An old-style currency note from the City of New Orleans, valued at one dollar. It features images of two ships, elaborate designs, and portraits of women. The note is dated January 1, 1863, with decorative borders and numerals 49 120.

The Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana

Money, Money, Money!
Money and Why There Was Never Enough
Banking in the Antebellum South
Banking and the Civil War
Greenback Revolution

Louisiana banknotes from prominent financial institutions circulated far and wide during the antebellum period. Chartered in 1833, the Citizens' Bank of Louisiana was the largest financial institution of its kind with an initial capitalization of $12 million, second only in the nation to the Second Bank of the United States. Ten-dollar notes from the Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana, their red backs printed with the French “dix” (“ten”), were familiarly known as “dixie” notes, leading to the belief that the term “Dixieland” derives from these Louisiana banknotes. This popular origin story has made “dixie” notes desirable among collectors and spurred numerous modern reproductions.  

A historical banknote from Citizens Bank of Louisiana, valued at ten dollars. It features a steamboat in the background, ornate designs, and a portrait of an unknown man in the lower left corner. The note is predominantly red and black.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans ten-dollar note, April 23, 1860, engraving by National Bank Note Company. HNOC, 1974.15.13 (detail)
The image shows a vintage orange banknote from Banque de la Louisiane with ornate patterns and the text DIX centered. Surrounded by intricate designs, the note indicates a denomination of ten (10) and features New Orleans prominently.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans ten-dollar note (reverse), April 23, 1860, engraving by National Bank Note Company. HNOC, 1974.15.13 (detail)
An ornate vintage banknote from The Citizens Bank of Louisiana, valued at twenty dollars or vingt piastres. It features intricate designs, including a seated female figure on the left, and bold numerical values on the right and corners.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans twenty-dollar note, between 1847 and 1858, engraving by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson (New Orleans). HNOC, 1989.95.18
An antique banknote from the Citizens Bank of Louisiana, featuring the number 100, ornate designs, and French text. Central illustration shows a seated figure with a shield and staff. Text One Hundred is prominent at the bottom.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans one-hundred-dollar note, between 1847 and 1858, engraving by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson (New Orleans). HNOC, 1989.95.19
An old five-dollar banknote from the Citizens Bank of Louisiana. It features intricate designs, a central illustration of a woman with a shield, and the text FIVE and CINQ on the sides. The note is primarily beige and brown.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans five-dollar note, between 1847 and 1858, engraving by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson (New Orleans). HNOC, 1989.95.21
A vintage 1000 dollar banknote from The Citizens Bank of Louisiana featuring intricate artwork, a prominent 1000 on each corner, and text in both French and English, printed in New Orleans.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans one-thousand-dollar note, circa 1840, engraving by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson (New Orleans). HNOC, 1970.19.20
An antique printing plate featuring engravings of banknotes. It displays intricate designs, portraits, and bank-related text. The metal surface shows signs of age and wear, adding a historical charm to the piece.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans five-dollar note printing plate (obverse), circa 1858, by Keim and Yeager (Philadelphia). HNOC, gift of Lee H. Schlesinger, 1998.7.6
Four vintage five-dollar banknotes from the Citizens Bank of Louisiana are arranged vertically. Each note features portraits of a man and a woman, along with ornate designs and the denomination printed in multiple places.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans uncut sheet of five-dollar notes, circa 1858, engraving by American Bank Note Company. HNOC, 1974.15.6
A vintage banknote from the Banque des Citoyens de la Louisiane features ornate red designs, two large 100 denominations, and a central portrait. The note includes the text New Orleans at the bottom.
Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana at New Orleans one-hundred-dollar note (reverse), June 30, 1857, engraving by American Bank Note Company (New Orleans). HNOC, 1989.95.20
Chapter 5: Nation of Counterfeiters