- United States Currency Index -

The first United States paper money under the Constitution dates from 1861 when the Demand Notes were issued defining the term "Greenback". From then to now, all currency issued by the United States Government has remained valid.

My collection is a type collection of the first 3 denominations. There are some areas where I have more such as the Fractionals and Emergency notes which I have all denominations. All images shown in the links below are from my personal collection unless otherwise noted.

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Facts and History of the $1 note

The Faces of Currency

Error Notes

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Paper money was first issued and circulated in 1812. This demand was brought on by the War of 1812. The series lasted only through 1815 but was considered very successful since all banks and merchants accepted them. It would not be until 1861 when the US Government would pass Congress Acts allowing the creation of legal currency. Since the first Act of July 17, 1861, there have been eleven (11) types of currency printed.

	Broken Bank Notes	Prior to 1861	History of First and Second Banks
	Demand Notes	1861-1862	Act of Congress July 17 and Aug. 5, 1861
	Interest Bearing Notes	1861-1865	Act of Congress July 17, 1861
	Fractional Currency	1862-1876	Act of Congress July 17, 1862
	United States Notes	1862-1966	Act of Congress February 25, 1862
	National Bank Notes	1863-1929	Act of Congress February 25, 1863
	Gold Certificates	1863-1928	Act of Congress March 3, 1863
	Silver Certificates	1878-1957	Act of Congress February 28, 1878
	Treasury or Coin Notes	1890-1891	Act of Congress July 14, 1890
	Federal Reserve Bank Notes	1915-1918	Act of Congress December 23, 1913
	Federal Reserve Notes	1914-Current	Act of Congress December 23, 1913
	World War II Emergency Notes	1942-1944