[DL] Whats in your wallet?

["JOe" <spleen23@webtrolls.com>]

I am attempting to write a overview on what happening with money in the 
wierd west.
Can anyone think of anything that should be restated or added to the 
following?

Whats in your wallet?

For most of its History, foreign currency was widely used in the US.

In 1857 the US government made the use of foreign currency illegal, and 
only allowed the use of American coins. 

For a time Paper money was issued by states, cities, counties, private 
banks, railroads, stores, churches, and individuals. These were 
often "wildcat banks" located in remote locations more accessible to 
wildcats than people. When a bank "went broke," the currency they issued 
became worthless. This practice ended with the passing of the National 
Bank Act of 1863.

While both the Confederation and The US issued paper money, the value of 
the money was based on faith in the government, not gold and silver. 
Because of this and deliberate attempts to devalue enemy currency by 
counterfeiting, Paper money from both sides are often valued at 80% or 
less of their face value.

Some of these coins are no longer issued, but may still be in use. The 
metal content of the smaller valued coins vary from year to year, as does 
their appearance.
<pre>
Coins:      Metal:      Value:      
Half-cent   Copper      .5 cents   1793-1857 Associated with 
poverty.
Cent      Copper      1 cent      
2-Cent Piece   Bronze      2 cents      1864-1873
3-Cent Piece   Silver      3 cents      Small, easy to lose.
5-Cent Piece   Not sure   5 cents      Replaced by Nickel at 
some point.
Half-dime   Silver      5 cents
Dime      Silver      10 cents
20- Cent Piece   Silver      20 cents   Unpopular, only issued 
1875 and 76
Quarter   Silver      25 cents
Half-dollar   Silver      50 cents
Silver dollar   Silver      1 dollar
Gold dollar   Gold      1 dollar
Quarter Eagle   Gold      $2.50
$3 Gold Piece   Gold      $3      1854-1889 Unpopular.
Half Eagle   Gold      $5
Eagle      Gold      $10
Double Eagle   Gold      $20
Slug      Gold      $50      Only issued in 
California. Quintuple Eagles</pre>


Due to a lack of metal during the civil war and other times, various 
efforts were made to create a currency to replace coins. People mostly 
stop using them as soon as regular money was available, but they may 
still be in use.

Fractional Currency:
Paper money issued in denominations of 3,5,10,25, and 50 cents from 1862 
to 1876. Unpopular due to the fact they quickly wore out.

Postal Currency:
A attempt in 1852 to replace coins with 5,10,25, and 50 cent 
denominations of postal stamps. Not popular due to the size and fragility 
of the stamps.

Copperheads and Hard times Tokens.
Small tokens made by just about anyone to be used in place of small value 
coins.