Currency

The Chinese were making paper money back in the 900s AD before Europe knew what paper was, but some exchange commodity had to back it. Paper currency, as we know it today, has not been around for very long (120-130 years in America). Before that, bank notes, federal notes, or any kind of guaranteed note was used for commerce. The currencies of many countries are represented on these pages, some of which are masterpieces of artistic design.

SUSSEX BANK, NEWTON, NEW JERSEY, 50 DOLLARS, C. 1830	TIMBER CUTTER’S BANK, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, 5 DOLLARS, 1857	UNITED STATES, 100 DOLLAR FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE, ATLANTA, 1914
UNITED STATES, ONE DOLLAR SILVER CERTIFICATE, 1896	VIRGINIA TREASURY NOTE, 10 DOLLAR, BY EDWARD KEATINGE, 1862	WEST AFRICA STATES, 50 FRANCS, 1958