quite tangential

[Mark Kohut]

A first-issue 5¢ ($0.05) note of fractional currency, depicting Thomas
Jefferson on the obverse. Issued between 21 August 1862 and 27 May
1863 in response to a shortage of coins owing to the American Civil
War, this first issue was based on Treasurer of the United States
Francis E. Spinner's handmade examples of a currency based on postage
stamps and released in denominations of 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢. Though
not legal tender, postage currency could be exchanged for United
States Notes in $5 lots and was receivable in payment of all dues to
the United States, up to $5. Four more subsequent issues followed
before fractional currency was discontinued in 1876.

Other denominations: 10¢, 25¢, 50¢

Banknote: National Banknote Company & the Treasury Department (image
courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of
American History)
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