[DiogenesLamp]

The National Banking Act of 1863, signed by Lincoln of course, established a national currency.

So there we go. I have long asserted that the birth of FedZilla started with Abe Lincoln, but a lot of people resent it when I say that. The evidence indicates it is indeed true. *THAT* is the nexus point in history where the founders vision started going wrong.

It also treated other currencies differently for tax purposes, effectively killing all other forms of money in our country.

The Rulers want no challengers. They want sole control over monetary value. Of course, people probably felt safe because the currency was backed up by Gold and Silver back then.

Until then, currency was issued by states, and even more so by banks and other local institutions. I own a nearly 200 year old book that includes the then-current exchange rates among different local/private currencies and foreign coins in the fledgling United States.

That must be a fascinating book. Am I to understand you correctly in that individual states were issuing currency up until 1863? I knew they had done so prior to Union, but I didn't know the practice continued afterward.

[Pollster1]

That must be a fascinating book. Am I to understand you correctly in that individual states were issuing currency up until 1863? I knew they had done so prior to Union, but I didn't know the practice continued afterward.

The book is in storage for family reasons, so I cannot currently check details, but it's mostly a reference for business in that time period. However, at least some states were still issuing or using state currency in the 1820s. I would guess from context that most currency came from state-chartered banks rather than from the states themselves.

[Pollster1]

That must be a fascinating book. Am I to understand you correctly in that individual states were issuing currency up until 1863? I knew they had done so prior to Union, but I didn't know the practice continued afterward.

The book is in storage for family reasons, so I cannot currently check details, but it's mostly a reference for business in that time period. However, at least some states were still issuing or using state currency in the 1820s. I would guess from context that most currency came from state-chartered banks rather than from the states themselves.

[Pollster1]

Phony as a three dollar bill? Nope. All real, although FL is just before the Civil War, VA is Confederate, and NC is 1866. Not taken from my memory, just from Internet searches.