Beautifully engraved bond certificate from the state of New York Canal Department Sinking Fund Loan July 1st, 1873, issued 1879, redeemable 1891. 12” x 9 ¼, printed by the American Bank Note Company.  Features a trio of vignettes: canal scene with a barge and horses; on the left is a bust portrait of then governor (and Civil War Genera) John Dix; right side is Canal Commissioner Reuben W. Stroud.
The Canal System was made up of four Canals:  the 338-mile Erie Canal, from Waterford to the Tonawandas; the 60-mile Champlain Canal, from Whitehall to Waterford; the 24-mile Oswego Canal, from Oswego to the Erie Canal at Three Rivers Junction and  the 92-mile Cayuga-Seneca Canal, (encompassing both lakes of the same names) and the canal.
Punched cancelled, trimmed tight along left border, original fold lines, overall VG- Fine condition.   sbgv002.