Legal Tender Notes – Page 6

The Series 1880 $50 United States Note: Benjamin Franklin Legal Tender Giants and Known Survivors

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1880 $50 United States Note stands among the most visually commanding large-size legal tender issues ever produced, featuring Benjamin Franklin at his most regal and a rotating cast of Treasury signature combinations that define collector rarity. This guide breaks down every major variety, known survivors, and what to look for when one of these scarce giants surfaces at auction.

Currency Speculation During Reconstruction: How Southern States Used Federal Notes While Issuing Their Own Scrip

June 15, 2026 by

The Reconstruction era produced one of the most chaotic monetary landscapes in American history, as Southern states simultaneously circulated federal greenbacks, Confederate remnants, and locally issued scrip in a desperate bid for economic survival. Understanding this layered currency ecosystem is essential for collectors pursuing Reconstruction-era paper money, where provenance, condition, and issuing authority can mean the difference between a $50 note and a $5,000 treasure.

The Series 1907 $5 United States Note Woodchopper: Why This Note Has a Cult Following Among Collectors

June 15, 2026 by

The Series 1907 $5 United States Note featuring the iconic ‘Woodchopper’ vignette is one of the most visually striking and historically significant large-size notes ever issued by the U.S. Treasury. Learn what makes this note a perennial favorite, how to identify key varieties, and what condition really means when you are hunting one for your collection.

Salmon P. Chase and the Birth of the National Banking System: How One Treasury Secretary Reshaped American Currency Forever

June 15, 2026 by

Salmon P. Chase’s wartime financial innovations between 1861 and 1864 fundamentally transformed how Americans used paper money, creating a uniform national currency that collectors still prize today. Understanding the political battles, legislative milestones, and design choices behind these notes unlocks an entirely new dimension of Civil War-era collecting.

The BEP Labor Strikes of the Early 20th Century: How Worker Unrest Interrupted Currency Production and Left Gaps in Print Runs

June 15, 2026 by

Between 1900 and 1920, a series of labor strikes at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing disrupted federal currency production in ways that left permanent marks on print run data and created genuine collecting opportunities that most hobbyists overlook. Understanding when presses stopped and why can help today’s collectors identify low-mintage notes that flew under the radar for decades.