Clothing
+ Fashion		Jewelry +
Watches		Home +
Furniture		 Pottery 
+ Glass		Art +
 Photos 		Paper +
  Books  		Music +
Movies		Toys +
Games		Sports +
Outdoors		Ads +
  Signs  		Eras +
Themes

During the Civil War, the high demand for precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper resulted in a shortage of coins. Those that were minted were routinely horded by a nervous public. In response, in 1863, the U.S. government issued Fractional Currency in 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50-cent denominations.

Fractional Currency, which was printed in four issues and circulated until 1876, is widely...

But for the most part, Fractional Currency was a success, thanks in no small part to the leadership of Francis E. Spinner, Treasurer of the United States. The denominations were his idea, but he didn’t stop there. Instead, Spinner used the need to print small notes as opportunities to experiment with different types of papers, inks, and anti-counterfeiting measures.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!

» See all fractional currency Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

An Interview with Kentucky Bank Note Collector Tony Swicer

I started collecting when I was about 10 years old. My father was in the Air Force, so he got me started collecting everything—coi… [more]

An Interview with Smithsonian Coin and Currency Curator Richard Doty

When I was 8 years old I had a friend named Jimmy Hood. His father was in the army, and he had been on the staff with General MacA… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

American Currency Exhibit

American Currency Exhibit

This collection, from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, runs from 1690 through half a dozen eras including… [read review or visit site]

Bank Note Bank

Bank Note Bank

This world banknote and currency image-sharing database is notable for its breadth of contributors and content (abo… [read review or visit site]

Ron Wises World Paper Money

Ron Wises World Paper Money

With over 20,000 high-res scans of world banknotes (front and back views), Ron Wise's website is a mandatory stop f… [read review or visit site]

Two Cent Revenue Stamped Paper

Two Cent Revenue Stamped Paper

Everything you'd ever want to know about revenue stamped paper (first authorized in 1862). This site features infor… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: US Paper Money

Other Great Reference Sites: US Paper Money

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 105 by  highest bid • most watched • completed
Ef 10 Cent Fractional Currency Fiber Paper Note 1863-1867 2nd Issue Fr 1249 PcgsUsa / 25c First Issue Fractional Currency Straight Edges Fr. 1281 Pcgs 63ppqUnc 5 Cent Perforated Fractional Currency Civil War Era Postage Note Fr 1230Hgr 1863 Rare Fr.1362 ""50c 3rd Issue"" Pcgs Au-50ppq1862 - 1876 Lot Of 7 Fractional Obsolete Currency Notes Three Five Ten 25Usa / 25c First Issue Fractional Currency Perforatd Edges Fr. 1279 Pcgs 40ppq.10 (ten) Cent Fractional Currency. Raleigh North Carolina. Oct. 1, 1861Rare Original 1863 United States Ten Cents Fractional Currency 1860's 1869 - 1875 Twenty-five Cent 251862 - 1875 Lot Of 7 Fractional Obsolete Currency Notes Five Ten 25U.s.fractional Currency 3rd Issue 10 Cents Fr#1255 Pmg About Uncirculated 53 Epq1862 - 1875 Lot Of 6 Fractional Obsolete Currency Notes Five Ten 251864 - 1869 Fifty Cent 50(3) Uncut .10 (ten Cent) Fractional Currency From Tallahassee Florida. Feb. 1868(3) Uncut .10 (ten Cent) Fractional Currency From Tallahassee Florida. Feb. 18681869 50 Cents Samuel Dexter United States Fractional Currency Bank Note Fr-1379United States 25 Cent Fractional Currency Bill 1874United States 10 Cents Fractional Currency Series Of 1874Us Fractional Currrency Five Cents With Thomas Jefferson1864 - 1869 Three Cent 3July 24 1866 50 Cent Fractional Currency Fr 1376 Xf1869 10 Cents " Liberty " United States Fractional Currency Bank Note Fr-1259Us Currency 1874 25 Cent Fractional In Very Fine, 5th Issue, Old Paper MoneyMarch 1863 25 Cents Fractional Currency Fr 1301 XfUs Fractional Currency Three Cents With George Washington1874 10 Cents " Red Seal " Meredith Short Key Fractional Currency Lqqk Fr-1266U.s.fractional Currency 4th Issue 15 Cents Fr#1267-68 Large Red Seal Fine Cond1869 - 1875 Twenty-five Cent 25United States 50 Cent Fractional Currency Bill Series 1875Three Fractional Currency NotesGift Certificate Good For 5 Submissions To The New CgaFr 1324 "redback Spinner "compact Rear Surcharges" Super Rare Item!!1849 Us Ten Cent Fractional Currency, Circulated, Extra Fine(2) .50 (fifty Cent) Confederate States Of America Fractional Currency. RichmondFr. 1230 Fractional Currency-- First Issue --5 Cents--very Fine+Fr. 1308 Fractional Currency-- Fifth Issue --25 Cents--very Fine+Walker Iron & Coal Co .10 (ten) Cent In Merchandise. Rising Fawn, Georgia.Walker Iron & Coal Co .50 (fifty) Cent In Merchandise. Rising Fawn, Georgia..10 (ten) Cent Fractional Currency. Raleigh North Carolina. Oct. 1, 1861$1 Southern Orphan Association Certificate. Richmond Virginia. 1867.25 (twenty-five) Cent Fractional Currency. Indian Head Bank.nashua, Nh Oct 18621869 - 1875 Fifteen Cent 151869 - 1875 Twenty-five Cent 2510 Cent Fractional Currency ""liberty "" Higher GradeUs Fractional Currency Five Cent United States Fractional Currency 50 Cents Lincoln Note Very OldOriginal Us 10 Cent Fractional Currency Old Paper MoneyUs Currency 1869 10 Cent Fractional 4th Issue, Vg+ Old Paper Money Free Shipping1862 - 1863 Ten Cent 10Forth Issue 50 Cent Fractional Currency .. Dexter .. Nice !1874 Ten Cent 1025 Cent Fractional Currency "" Fessenden "" Higher GradeUs Currency 1874 10 Cent Fractional Note In Fine, Old Paper Money, Free Shipping1869 - 1875 Ten Cent 101863 Fractional Currency 3 And 5 Cents In Original Case25 Cent Fractional Currency "" Washington "" Higher GradeFr 1374 50 Cent (lincoln Note) Fourth Issue!! Super Rare Note!!!!1862 - 1863 Ten Cent 10United States 10 Cent Fractional Currency Act Of March 3rd 186350 Cent Fourth Issue Fractional Currency-bust Of Stanton
»» Get our weekly US Fractional Currency email
Right now on eBay

US Paper Money

suggest a category

See also

Share