In colonial times, fur pelts were commonly used as currency, especially in the fur trade with Native Americans and European settlers.
In 17th and 18th century Virginia, tobacco was so valuable it was used as a form of currency. Tobacco notes represented a certain amount of tobacco stored in warehouses.
Native American tribes used strings of shell beads called wampum as a form of currency and trade, which European settlers also adopted.
Used primarily by Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush era, tea bricks were compacted blocks of tea leaves that could be used as currency.
Issued during the Revolutionary War, this paper currency quickly depreciated due to lack of backing, leading to the phrase "not worth a Continental."
During the Great Depression, some local banks issued wooden nickels to keep commerce alive when metal coins were scarce.
Issued during the Civil War, these paper notes were not backed by gold or silver, causing them to fluctuate in value but were crucial in funding the Union war effort.
Due to coin shortages during the Civil War, the U.S. issued paper currency in denominations of less than one dollar, such as 3, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents.