US Fractional Currency
OriginUSA
First Minted1862
MaterialPaper
TypeCurrency
About US Fractional Currency
Small paper notes worth 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, or 50 cents, issued during and after the Civil War. Hoarding of coins created a shortage of small change. The government issued postage stamps as currency, then replaced them with fractional currency. These small notes were unpopular as they were easily lost and damaged. Issued from 1862 to 1876 in five separate series. Redeemed for coin when silver and copper returned to circulation.
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