Section 8, Clause 5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
Note that the dictionary definition of coin clearly indicates metal currency.
Section 10, Clause 1: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts (emphasis added); pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
So what am I overlooking?
‘make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts (emphasis added); ‘
which would make our paper money illegal. Unless the argument is made that paper money represents or is backed by physical gold and silver, which it used to be obviously. But now, there is no defense for paper money or credit even. hmmm...