OK, the South lost, as such, any and every official document connected to the "Lost Cause" is worthless. Right? But no. If you have a certificate from a company involved with running the blockade, it is highly collectible.
The July 14th Numismaster had an article about them.
The South relied on "King Cotton" to fund the war effort. The blockade was fairly effective and the Confederacy needed military and medical supplies as well as weapons. A new line of companies came into being to get the cotton out and supplies in.
Most were incorporated in South Carolina with shares usually costing $1000 apiece.
Blockade-running could be extremely profitable. A single successful run would just about pay for the ship. After that, the profit was astronomical.
Most blockade-runner certificates were small, 5 X 9 inches and not very elaborate.
These items are rare and highly sought after by collectors.
To see the arfticle and pictures of certificates:
http://www.mumismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleID=7005
Make Me Some Money!! --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
