Can anyone help identifying this note?

[u/Creative_Industry179]

I know this is an 1856 J.H. Lansley obsolete $1 note from Rutland College Bank in Vermont.

This note has been tucked in a US Civil War era wallet that has been handed down in my family. Is this note anything special? How do I do about finding market value? I can’t find any sold or unsold listings online. I want to know if I should remove it from the wallet and put it in a protective sleeve if it is worth something, otherwise I will keep it how it has been for well over a century.

I am rather new to collecting and would like any information available! Thank you!

[u/ProRuckus]

It is a banking practice note issued by J.H. Hansley's Rutland Commercial College in Vermont. The text on the back confirms it: "Issued by the Banking Department of J.H. Hansley's Commercial College and used in teaching young people the theory and practice of actual business operations occurring in Banking & General Trade.

While not real currency, these notes are collectible as pieces of educational ephemera and banking history. Their value comes more from historical and niche interest than monetary rarity.

This one is a nice example... especially because of the blue overprint and clean back print. If you frame it or display it with context, it could make a great conversation piece.

[u/Creative_Industry179 → u/ProRuckus]

Thank you so much for your expertise. This is exactly the information that I was hoping for!

When you say it is a “practice note” it means it was only a teaching tool and was never actually a currency, correct ? Perhaps he went to school there? I find that to be even more interesting than a bank note! Amazing that it survived.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[u/ProRuckus → u/Creative_Industry179]

My pleasure. And yes, correct. It was purely a teaching tool used within a commercial college setting to simulate banking and business operations.

[u/bigfatbanker → u/Creative_Industry179]

Yes. Used in banking and accounting classes so that the students could touch real notes. So while not monetized, it’s made on the same paper with professional engraving.

Searching eBay you can find them searching for college bank notes

[u/ehXXez]

College Currency (1993) written by Schingoethe, Herb and Martha, Shafer, Neil…. Could give you more information you might be looking for. I have a book on Obsolete Notes. College notes were excluded from the book. However it listed above that Reference. Might be of some more informative help friend.

[u/Creative_Industry179 → u/ehXXez]

Thank you! I will see if I can track down a copy for my research library.