Inflation. Even before they declared themselves free and independent states, American colonies issued New York Dollars and Pennsylvania Shillings, then later Continental Dollars--all so largely un-supported by metallic standards that soon any worthless object came to be known as "Not worth a Continental."

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches).
Caption card lists some of the printing history of image.
Image source: Keystone photo.
Title and other information from caption card.
Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944.
More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsaowi
Film copy on SIS roll 33, frame 1133.