{"product_id":"1862-1863-united-states-5-fractional-currency-postage-currency-thomas-jefferson","title":"1862–1863 United States 5¢ Fractional Currency – Postage Currency | Thomas Jefferson","description":"\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:58b75f88-82cc-4a15-a4a2-c28aacde0478-12\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-26\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"3e0ee502-aa07-41fb-ac0b-46e5f68133c3\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-3\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"159\" data-end=\"489\"\u003eOwn a fascinating relic from the American Civil War with this \u003cstrong data-start=\"221\" data-end=\"270\"\u003eUnited States 5-Cent Fractional Currency Note\u003c\/strong\u003e, also known as \u003cstrong data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"309\"\u003e“Postage Currency,”\u003c\/strong\u003e issued between \u003cstrong data-start=\"325\" data-end=\"342\"\u003e1862 and 1863\u003c\/strong\u003e. Created during a period of economic uncertainty, these notes were introduced to combat the widespread hoarding of gold, silver, and copper coins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"789\"\u003eThis historic note features a portrait of \u003cstrong data-start=\"533\" data-end=\"553\"\u003eThomas Jefferson\u003c\/strong\u003e, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. As one of the earliest forms of fractional paper money, it played a vital role in facilitating everyday commerce when coins were scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"1008\"\u003eOriginally redeemable for postage stamps or legal tender in sums of five dollars or more, this small yet significant piece of American history remains a prized collectible among numismatists and Civil War enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1013\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"17axgyb\" data-start=\"1015\" data-end=\"1034\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1034\"\u003eKey Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1809\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1m9nqfs\" data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1104\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1038\" data-end=\"1047\"\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Fractional Currency (“Postage Currency”)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"gfnup7\" data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1162\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1124\"\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 Cents (One-Twentieth of a Dollar)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"hywkbs\" data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1189\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1165\" data-end=\"1175\"\u003eIssue:\u003c\/strong\u003e First Issue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"48o7kc\" data-start=\"1190\" data-end=\"1223\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1192\" data-end=\"1211\"\u003eYears of Issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1862–1863\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1gvrpb7\" data-start=\"1224\" data-end=\"1258\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1239\"\u003ePortrait:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas Jefferson\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ywajnf\" data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1301\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1280\"\u003eHistorical Era:\u003c\/strong\u003e American Civil War\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ulz35u\" data-start=\"1302\" data-end=\"1350\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1304\" data-end=\"1317\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Printed on thin currency paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"nlzv4x\" data-start=\"1351\" data-end=\"1418\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1365\"\u003ePurpose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Issued to address a nationwide shortage of coinage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"12cfva\" data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1494\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1421\" data-end=\"1439\"\u003eAuthorization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approved by Congress and issued by the U.S. Treasury\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"3slrl9\" data-start=\"1495\" data-end=\"1590\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1515\"\u003eRedeemability:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exchangeable for postage stamps or legal tender in amounts of $5 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"13mm8ld\" data-start=\"1591\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1593\" data-end=\"1607\"\u003eNicknamed:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Postage Currency” due to its resemblance to postage stamps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"109d427\" data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1725\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1689\"\u003eLegal Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e Obsolete and no longer redeemable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1na6kfi\" data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1809\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1728\" data-end=\"1747\"\u003eCollectibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly desirable among collectors of early U.S. paper money\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1811\" data-end=\"1814\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1vwbckl\" data-start=\"1816\" data-end=\"1847\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1847\"\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"2168\"\u003eDuring the Civil War, Americans hoarded precious metal coins, creating a severe shortage of small change. In response, the U.S. government introduced fractional currency in 1862. The earliest issues resembled postage stamps and were even encased in protective holders, giving rise to the nickname \u003cstrong data-start=\"2145\" data-end=\"2168\"\u003e“postage currency.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2170\" data-end=\"2419\"\u003eThese notes represent the first successful circulating paper money in denominations of less than one dollar issued by the United States. They served as a critical economic solution and remain an enduring symbol of American resilience during wartime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2424\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1vkd20z\" data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2450\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2450\"\u003eRarity and Value\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2452\" data-end=\"2923\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ts65qe\" data-start=\"2452\" data-end=\"2503\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2454\" data-end=\"2481\"\u003eCivil War-Era Artifact:\u003c\/strong\u003e Over 160 years old.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"17cptid\" data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2591\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2506\" data-end=\"2539\"\u003eFirst Fractional Paper Money:\u003c\/strong\u003e Among the earliest small-denomination U.S. notes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1qj8v9q\" data-start=\"2592\" data-end=\"2664\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2594\" data-end=\"2624\"\u003eThomas Jefferson Portrait:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adds historical and patriotic appeal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1w9bb9c\" data-start=\"2665\" data-end=\"2753\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"2689\"\u003eFragile Survivors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin paper makes well-preserved examples increasingly scarce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"m9sfvh\" data-start=\"2754\" data-end=\"2839\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2756\" data-end=\"2784\"\u003eStrong Collector Demand:\u003c\/strong\u003e A cornerstone of advanced U.S. currency collections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1pm51es\" data-start=\"2840\" data-end=\"2923\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2842\" data-end=\"2867\"\u003eInvestment Potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e Value depends on condition, centering, and originality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2925\" data-end=\"2928\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"31l4gk\" data-start=\"2930\" data-end=\"2975\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2975\"\u003eWhy Add This Note to Your Collection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2976\" data-end=\"3235\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong data-start=\"2981\" data-end=\"3019\"\u003e1862–1863 5¢ Postage Currency Note\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a tangible connection to one of the most pivotal periods in American history. Its Civil War origins, distinctive design, and enduring collectibility make it an essential addition to any numismatic collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3237\" data-end=\"3308\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3237\" data-end=\"3308\" data-is-last-node=\"\"\u003eSecure this rare and historic piece of U.S. monetary history today!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Coin Hub","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47575346839715,"sku":"132452757711","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0740\/0095\/7603\/files\/1862-1863-United-States-5-Fractional-Currency-P-31.jpg?v=1778848771","url":"https:\/\/coinhubstore.com\/products\/1862-1863-united-states-5-fractional-currency-postage-currency-thomas-jefferson","provider":"Heritage Pastime","version":"1.0","type":"link"}