Object Details
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 cent note
United States, 1862 - 1863
Obverse Image: Postage stamp with bust of Thomas Jefferson.
Obverse Text: POSTAGE CURRENCY / FURNISHED ONLY BY THE ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND DESIGNATED DEPOSITARIES OF THE U.S. / 5 / U.S. POSTAGE / FIVE CENTS / RECEIVABLE FOR POSTAGE STAMPS AT ANY POST OFFICE / NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. N.Y.
Reverse Image: 5 within decorative oval.
Reverse Text: EXCHANGEABLE FOR UNITED STATES NOTES BY ANY ASSISTANT TREASURER OR DESIGNATED U.S. DEPOSITARY, IN SUMS NOT LESS THAN FIVE DOLLARS. RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DUES TO THE U. STATES LESS THAN FIVE DOLLARS. ACT APPROVED JULY 17, 1862. / 5
General Information: First issue.
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.
Credit Line
The Chase Manhattan Bank
date made
1862 - 1863
ID Number
1979.1263.0407
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
CM0407
catalog number
79.112.CM0407
Object Name
note
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
place made
United States
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
Civil War
Coins, Currency and Medals
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1590356