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shinplasters fractional currency

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Treasury note, Washington, D.C., Political Cartoon

Treasury note, Washington, D.C., Political Cartoon

A parody of the often worthless fractional currencies or "shinplasters" issued by banks, businesses, and municipalities in lieu of coin. These fractional notes proliferated during the Panic of 1837 with the eme... More

6 cents. Humbug glory bank - Public domain book illustration, Library of Congress

6 cents. Humbug glory bank - Public domain book illustration, Library ...

Another mock bank note parodying the "shinplasters" of the 1837 panic. Such small-denomination notes were based on the division of the Spanish dollar, the dominant specie of the time. Hence they were issued in ... More

Fifty cents. Shin plaster - Public domain scan / drawing

Fifty cents. Shin plaster - Public domain scan / drawing

Another mock shinplaster (see also nos. 1837-9 and -10 above). Again the artist attributes the shortage of hard money to the successive monetary programs of presidents Jackson and Van Buren, particularly to the... More

Capitol fashions for 1837 - Public domain book illustration

Capitol fashions for 1837 - Public domain book illustration

A caricature of President Martin Van Buren issued during the Panic of 1837, strongly critical of his continuation of predecessor Andrew Jackson's hard-money policies. Particular reference is made to the Specie ... More

"Sober second thought". Book illustration from Library of Congress

"Sober second thought". Book illustration from Library of Congress

Another of HD's portrayals of the New York tradesman's "sober second thoughts" about his support of Democratic hard-money fiscal policies. (See also "Specie Claws," no. 1838-14.) Both prints touch upon the the ... More