Moons Rare Books
1837 Kirtland Safety Society "Anti-Bank" Note*
1837 Kirtland Safety Society "Anti-Bank" Note*
5RR. 1837. Kirtland Safety Society "anti-bank" note.
The Kirtland Safety Society was an anti-bank established in 1837 by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. It was created to support the financial needs of the growing LDS community during a time of national financial instability. However, the society faced legal issues as it lacked a state banking charter, leading to its designation as an "anti-bank."
The Kirtland Safety Society issued its own currency (bank notes), which initially circulated among the Mormon community. However, due to the nationwide Panic of 1837 and internal management challenges, the society collapsed within a year. Its failure resulted in significant financial losses for members of the LDS Church.
This note is an "anti-bank" note, of which, there are very few remaining today. The word "anti" is hand written on each of the notes. This practice was extremely time consuming and they quickly decided to print the notes without the "anti."
Description:
This note has an original and authentic signature of Joseph Smith Jr. in the bottom right corner and Sidney Rigdon in the bottom left. There's a hand written "anti" in the top left corner. This note received a 20 "very fine" document rating and is preserved in a professional sheeting. Very fine. Extremely rare.