Salmon Chase – US Notes

Salmon Chase’s Audacious Self-Portrait: How the Treasury Secretary Put His Own Face on the 1861 $1 Demand Note and Sparked a Congressional Firestorm

June 15, 2026 by

In 1861, Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase made the unprecedented decision to place his own likeness on the first federally issued paper currency in American history, the $1 Demand Note. The political fallout was immediate and lasting, and today these notes rank among the most historically significant and collectible pieces in all of United States numismatics.

Portraits Removed from US Currency: Chase, Stanton, and the Figures No Longer on American Notes

June 15, 2026 by

From Salmon P. Chase’s brief appearance on high-denomination Federal Reserve Notes to Edwin Stanton’s forgotten presence on Fractional Currency, several prominent Americans once graced US paper money before being quietly replaced. Understanding who appeared, when, and why they were removed gives collectors a fascinating lens into the political and institutional history behind every piece of American paper money.

Interest Bearing Notes of the Civil War Era: Seven-Thirty Treasury Notes Explained

June 15, 2026 by

The Seven-Thirty Treasury Notes of the 1860s represent one of the most fascinating and underappreciated chapters in American fiscal history, combining the functions of currency and investment instrument at a moment of national crisis. This guide breaks down every issue, signature combination, and collecting nuance so you can confidently pursue these remarkable Civil War relics.