Terms

American Colonial Money

Parent term
Form(s) of money used during the American Colonial Times

Script / Paper Money
  • Before the US Revolution in 1776, governments and private banks issues many paper notes
  • These notes were often called "script" and often backed by gold or silver reserves
  • Often lead to abuse or fraud - there was often no gold/silver to back up the notes


Early History:
  • At the time there was very little silver or gold in the American Colonies
  • Most common currency was the British Pound
  • Dutch Guilders & Spanish Pesos (pieces of eight) were also used
  • Due to the lack of currency, the barter system was commonly used
  • Skins and pelts (ex. beaver pelts) were also used as a medium of exchange
  • Other commodities like weat, corn or coal were also used as a medium of exchange