U.S. Paper Money

The materials on this page link to selected resources about paper money and currency history in the Library's collection, on the internet, and in articles.

Print Materials

The following print resources link to fuller bibliographic information about each item in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Search the catalog for additional resources.

100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers; David M. Sundman; Tom Denly (Editor); Chester L. Krause (Foreword by); Clifford Mishler (Foreword by)
Call Number: HG591 .B69 2006
ISBN: 0794820069
Published/Created: 2005-12-01
A collection of stories on 100 paper notes issued by the United States over the past 300 years and accompanied by color illustrations and valuations. Notes are ranked based on the results of a survey taken by currency collectors, writers, and dealers in the field. The introduction includes a brief historical overview of paper money in America, a section on collecting and enjoying the hobby, along with aspects of the marketplace. The guide is meant to be an easy-to-read appreciative take on the more recent popularity of paper money collecting.
American History As Seen Thru Currency by Edward Dauer; Joanne Dauer
Call Number: HG591 .D38 2003
ISBN: 0972846603
Published/Created: 2003-01-01
"Changing Role of Foreign Money in the United States, 1782-1857" in The Journal of Economic History by David A. Martin
Call Number: HC10 .J64
Published/Created: December 1977 (Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 1009-1027)
This article looks at the use of pounds, shillings, and pence in the former colonies.
The Early Paper Money of America by Eric P. Newman
Call Number: HG591 .N45 2008
ISBN: 9780896893269
Published/Created: 2008-11-28
Publisher description
This title includes detailed, high quality illustrations investors, history enthusiasts, re-enactment groups and educators that is a comprehensive guide to Colonial American paper money and early states issues.
Greenback by Jason Goodwin
Call Number: HG591 .G64 2003
ISBN: 0805064079
Published/Created: 2003-01-07
Publisher description
Sample text
The Greenback by Heinz Tschachler.
Call Number: HG591 .T834 2010
ISBN: 9780786449736
Published/Created: 2010-03-19
Social, cultural and historical contexts of paper money are explored by examining the use of symbols and visual elements on American paper bills from Colonial times through the present day.
A Guide Book of United States Paper Money by Friedberg
Call Number: HG591 .F75 2011
ISBN: 9780794832407
Published/Created: 2010-12-01
This is an introductory guide by professional numismatists that is encyclopedic in scope, offers color illustrations throughout along with valuations (history, grading and values). Friedberg numbering system is given as a way to measure collection’s completeness and facilitate cataloging. The introduction includes story of national monetary history from colonial times to the present.
A History of Currency in the United States by A. Barton Hepburn
Call Number: HG501 .H43 1967
Published/Created: 1967
This is a revised edition with new chapters on the monetary and financial developments in the United States from 1914 to 1922, with a preface by Mrs. Hepburn on the author's relation to the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.
Paper Money of the United States : A Complete Illustrated Guide with Valuations by Robert Friedberg
Call Number: HG591 .P37
Published/Created: 1953-
This is an annual publication and is considered a standard reference on American currency since 1953. It is a comprehensive and guide on the subject, illustrating and valuating all types of United States paper money. From the first year of Federal paper money, 1861, to date.
Standard Catalog of U.S. Paper Money
Call Number: HG591 .S7
Published/Created: 1981-
This annual reference guide is geared towards paper money hobbyists and covers note issues of the U.S. federal government since 1812, including large and small size currency notes, national bank notes, pre-Civil War U.S. Treasury notes, postage and factional currency, military payment certificates, encased postage stamps and postage stamp envelopes, notes of the Philippines and error notes. Numerous photographs and background information is provided so that readers are educated on how to build their own collection. The introduction explains the numbering system used at the beginning of each entry and abbreviations used in the grading guide.
Standard Catalog of United States Obsolete Bank Notes, 1782-1866 by James A. Haxby
Call Number: HG591 .H38 1988
Published/Created: 1988
This is a 4 volume set. Volume one covers: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland. Volume two covers: Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, new Hampshire, New Jersey. Volume three covers: New York, North Carolina, Ohio. Volume four covers: Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Bank of the United States, Nos specified state, Altered notes and the master index.

Internet Resources

Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Includes information in individual bills.
Colonial Currency External
A Project of the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment at the University of Notre Dame.
Early American Paper Money Collection, 1746-1865
This link is for a Library of Congress collection that contains bills issued primarily by the Continental Congress and the original thirteen colonies. The denominations range from six and a quarter cents to a hundred dollars and three pence to five pounds. Includes random examples of Continental Currency and bills issued by Bank of Toronto, Bank of the United States, Confederate States of America, Connecticut, Corporation of Washington, Delaware, City of Wilmington, Delaware Bridge Company, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, City of New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Farmers Bank of Reading, Rhode Island, South Carolina, City of Charleston, and Virginia, in addition to miscellany relating to paper money.
Information for Collectors
Includes: Monthly Production Reports with data from FY2003 and Annual Production Reports with data on denominations beginning in FY1984.
JustMoney.org External
The goal is to be a "platform for exploration of money and credit as matters of design." with content covering topics like banking and money creation, virtual currencies, race and the monetary architecture, and the debate over funding the Green New Deal; policy spotlights, teaching and resources
Secrets of Making Money External
This is a production of NOVA (on PBS). Along with is the "Anatomy of a $100 Bill" at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/anatomy-bill.html
UScurrency.gov
This is part of the U.S. Currency Education Program.

Theories on the Dollar Sign

There are many theories as to the origin of the dollar sign. None have been "verified," but many feel that the most likely explanation is from the abbreviation pieces of 8 (peso) seen referenced in Spanish currency. There are additional resources that can be used for research on researching paper currency in other sections of this guide.

A History of Mathematical Notations by Florian Cajori
Call Number: QA21 .C135 1928
Published/Created: 1928

"The Curious Origins of the Dollar Sign." External
This is an article by Joshua D. Rothman in werehistory.org, April 1, 2018.
What is the origin of the $ sign?
This is a FAQ from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing - see the Symbolism section.
The Word "Dollar" and the Dollar Sign $ External
This is from the web project of Roy Davies author of "A History of Money."

Articles

"The Destruction of Money: Who Does It, Why, When, and How?" External
This article by Daniel Indiviglio ran in the Atlantic Monthly, April 8, 2011.
"How Currency Gets into Circulation" External
This is from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, July 2013.
"Money and Finance in the Confederate States of America" External
This is an article by Marc Weidenmier in EH.Net Encyclopedia, edited by Robert Whaples. September 23, 2002.
"Money in the American Colonies" External
This is an article by Ronald Michener for EH.Net Encyclopedia, edited by Robert Whaples. June 8, 2003, revised January 13, 2011.

Money: Researching the History of U.S. and International Currencies

U.S. Paper Money

Print Materials

Internet Resources

Theories on the Dollar Sign

Articles