The Society holds over 2,200 pieces of colonial-era currency, some of which offers a glimpse into the financial struggles of the Revolutionary War period. As the thirteen original colonies moved towards declaring independence, they faced the urgent challenge of funding a war effort—paying soldiers, securing weapons and ammunition, and sustaining local economies. While united against the British king, each colony guarded its right to create and issue its own currency. Some hired silversmiths to engrave intricate copper plates while others relied on patriot printers to produce bills using letter press type and ornament. These fragmented efforts created a confusing jumble of notes, eroded public trust, and fueled widespread counterfeiting. By 1776, thirteen separate economies were struggling to become one.
Resources
- Eric P. Newman, The Early Paper Money of America, 4th edition, Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications, 1997.
- William L. Pressly, America's Paper Money: A Canvas for an Emerging Nation, ebook, Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press (2023), pp. 7-17.
- Ron Michener, “Money in the American Colonies,” Economic History Association Net Encyclopedia, edited by Robert Whaples, June 8, 2003, revised January 13, 2011.
- Spreadsheet inventory of the AAS entire colonial currency collection.
Selected Examples
This gallery features examples of paper currency used in the American colonies, dating from 1774 to 1781.
