So as I said in the title, I have some old bank notes from the 1800's. They belonged to the father of a family friend who passed away a few years ago, and so his daughter, my mother's friend, gave them to me because she knew I liked things like this. I remember looking into them a year or two ago, but couldn't really get anywhere.
So I just thought about today that asking people on reddit might help. I'm sorry if this isn't quite the correct sub to go to, but I couldn't think of anyone else to try first. If you have better suggestions that would be wonderful!
So anyways, I've got some pictures, but the notes are in glass frames, so it was difficult to get a good picture with enough lighting and little reflection. I can try to get more pictures later if you guys need them.
Here they are: http://imgur.com/a/tL3Ba
As I said, any information you guys could give would be awesome! Plus they could be worth something, which would be even cooler! Thanks.
Those are bank note issued by private banks around the time of the civil war. Eventually, many banks collapsed and these note became worthless as currency.
I think these notes all carry a modest premium, except for the square one. I seem to recall one like that carrying a higher price tag.
Can't give you exact numbers(I'm a coin guy, not a currency guy), but you could make a few dollars selling them to a coin ship.
If you want more accurate info, post these over at coincommunity.com Those people know their stuff and can give you much better help than I can.