Section 10: Early American money Previous | Next | Section Index
Soon all thirteen colonies issued their own paper money
The coin shortage stimulated the use of paper money. Colonists had used paper money in their homelands, and it allowed the colonial governments to finance their operations and ease the coin shortage. Some of the notes displayed here were issued prior to July 4, 1776. But independence did not end the coin shortage or the need to finance government operations, so the printing presses rolled on.
Georgia paper money certificate
Georgia certificate, 1776
One Spanish millled dollar		 New Hampshire paper money bill of credit
New Hampshire bill of credit, 1780
20 Spanish milled dollars
South Caroloina paper money bill of credit
South Carolina bill of credit,
October 19, 1776
Two Spanish milled dollars		 New York "water works" paper money note
New York “water works” note, 1775
Eight shillings
North Carolina bill of credit
North Carolina bill of credit, 1778
Five Spanish milled dollars		 Virginia Treasury bill
Virginia Treasury bill, 1780
400 Spanish milled dollars
Maryland bill
Maryland bill, 1774
Six dollars		 New Jersey bill of credit
New Jersey bill of credit,
March 25, 1776
Three pounds
Pennsylvania loan office paper money bill
Pennsylvania loan office bill, 1773
Ten shillings		 Massachusetts "sword of hand" note
Massachusetts “sword in hand” note, 1775
Five shillings		 Connecticut Treasury note
Connecticut Treasury note,
June 7, 1776
One shilling
Delaware bill of credit
Delaware bill of credit,
January 1, 1776
20 shillings		 Rhode Island bill of credit
Rhode Island bill of credit, 1786
30 shillings		  
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