Skip to main content

Link to Smithsonian homepage

Smithsonian Music

Main menu

  • Calendar
  • Listen
  • Learn
    • Ask Smithsonian
    • Collections Spotlights
    • Music Stories
  • Watch
  • Blog

5 Cents, Fractional Currency Note, 1862-63

Object Details

Description
Francis E. Spinner became the Treasurer of the United States in March of 1861. He conceived the idea of “emergency” money by using groups of stamps pasted onto treasury paper. On July 17, 1862 Congress authorized the use of postage stamps as payment. This five-cent postage stamp currency looks like a regular stamp, but it had no adhesive backing and could not be used on mail.
Data Source
National Museum of American History
date made
1862-1863
Credit Line
Chase Manhattan Bank
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 4.7 cm x 6.55 cm x .01 cm; 1 27/32 in x 2 19/32 in x in
Object Name
note

Featured In

  • Civil War 150:Funding a War
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Link to Smithsonian homepage

  • About
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Back to Top