United States Paper Money Currency

Learn about United States paper money by taking a visual tour of all the different notes produced by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Paper money was first issued and circulated in 1812. This demand was brought on by the War of 1812. The series lasted only through 1815 but was considered very successful since all banks and merchants accepted them. It would not be until 1861 when the US Government would pass Congress Acts allowing the creation of legal currency. Since the first Act of July 17, 1861, there have been eleven types of currency printed.

The first United States paper money under the Constitution dates from 1861 when the Demand Notes were issued defining the term "Greenback". From then to now, all currency issued by the United States Government has remained valid.

Highlights of this site:

Images of everything ever printed

Portraits with links of everyone on notes

History/descritions of the notes

View all the notes on a page in a gallery

My collection is a type collection of the first 3 denominations. There are some areas where I have more such as the Fractionals and Emergency notes. The higher resolution images are from my collection.