Man Purchases Civil War-Era Document for $50, Then Learns It's Worth a Lot More Weeks Later

A California man was pleasantly surprised to lean that a Civil War-era document he purchased for a mere $50 is worth a lot more.

According to BakersfieldNow.com, a man entered Kameron Kephart's Gold and Silver Trading Co. shop last month desperate for money. He had an old war document he asked to exchange for money.

Kephart agreed.

"I took a gamble on it. I really did," he told BakersfieldNow.com. "I bought it and thought, you know, if it isn't real it might look all right just hanging on the wall."

The document was for a recess appointment and signed April 29, 1861. But it's the signature imprinted on it that will interest buyers. The document was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Weeks after Kephart purchased the artifact, he took it to a trade show where it was authenticated by a professional.[sharequote align="right"]"I just can't help but stare at the thing all day."[/sharequote]

"I just can't help but stare at the thing all day," Kephart told BakersfieldNow.com.

The California man told the local newspaper that he plans to display the document for now, but is open to selling it for the right price.

"If they have the right amount of money, I will sell it," Kephart said. "Don't get me wrong. I'll sell it."

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