Lot 17

Jefferson Davis PSA Slabbed MINT 9 Signed Check Dated 6 Months Before 1873 Panic-Induced Resignation from Carolina Life Insurance Company

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Jefferson Davis PSA Slabbed MINT 9 Signed Check Dated 6 Months Before 1873 Panic-Induced Resignation from Carolina Life Insurance Company

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Current Bid: $800

(6 Bids)

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

Jefferson Davis
[Memphis, TN], February 3, 1873
Jefferson Davis PSA Slabbed MINT 9 Signed Check Dated 6 Months Before 1873 Panic-Induced Resignation from Carolina Life Insurance Company
DS

A bank check signed by Jefferson Davis (1808-1889), former President of the Confederate States of America, as "Jefferson Davis" on the signature line. February 3, 1873. [Memphis, Tennessee.] Check #89 directed cashiers at the Union & Planters Bank to pay $23 to one "Jackson." Partly printed and partly manuscript. An x-shaped cancellation mark at center. Blank verso. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded MINT 9. Expected wear including light even toning. A few isolated smudges, else near fine. The check measures 8.325" x 2.625". The slab measures 12.375" x 5.5" x .25".

The identity of the check recipient "Jackson" is unknown. Did Davis feel any sense of irony that the check recipient shared the last name of no fewer than five different Confederate generals, including the most well-known name bearer, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson? We can only speculate.

This check was issued in February 1873, just six months before Davis resigned from the presidency of the Carolina Life Insurance Company in August of that year. Davis has been elected as president of the prosperous Southern insurance company in November 1869. (Incidentally, this was Davis's first presidency since that of the C.S.A., though it entailed not heading an alternative government, but an economic concern!) Davis's new position as president of the Carolina Life Insurance Company came with a $12,000 salary. Former Confederates flocked to the firm to serve as insurance agents. However, the widespread economic downturn caused by the Panic of 1873 adversely impacted the American banking and insurance industries. Davis traveled to Europe within a few months of his resignation to look for different work.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: slabbed: 12.375" x 5.5" x .25"
  • Medium: DS

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000