Some of you younger people may not know this (two pictures)

[LeftyFingerPop]

US currency used to be much physically larger than it is now. For currency in the 1800's and early 1900's, I always wonder how big a man's wallet would be to carry the larger notes. For example, compare the small size (upper right) to the large size (lower left).



Also, old US paper money could be really beautiful. Below is my favorite old note.

[Lil Missy]

1. Have you seen the new $5 bills?

They're purple!

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. I know!

Kind of hard to get used to! :hi:

[Aristus]

14. The "Lavender Lincoln".

In the future, if that becomes the common nickname for the bill, just remember, I coined the phrase. :P

[Lil Missy]

3. And, who are you calling younger, you little whipper snapper?

Mind your manners, young man!

Or I'll get Skittles or Cal Peg on you!

:P

[LeftyFingerPop]

4. Well I'm almost 50....

so I can call a few people in here "younger". :P

By the way, I was not around during the time of the larger currency, but a collection was passed on to me that I have added to over the years.

[Lil Missy]

5. Well, okay. I was going to ask Skittles to kick your ass, but I will pass for now.

But I am slightly older than you, ya little whipper snapper.

[LeftyFingerPop]

6. Well I didn't know that!

Anyway, good age to be! :)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. I remember the early 60s.

The money still said "Silver Certificate" on it.

How old is that $5 bill with the indian on it??? Looks nice and ornate.

[hobbit709]

9. Our money used to be backed with gold until 1933

Then silver until 1965(I think)
Now it just says "In God We Trust"
And we all know what that's worth.

[LeftyFingerPop]

13. I believe that US currency has always been....

"backed" by gold, and continues to be.

Silver certificates used to be "redeemable" for physical silver, but that is obviously no longer the case.

[hobbit709]

18. The small print used to say

"Redeemable in lawful money upon demand"-not any more. Now we have Federal Reserve Notes, not actual United States dollars. Hasn't been backed by gold since 1933.

[LeftyFingerPop]

19. We are both slightly incorrect....

The US gold standard (ie: the actual backing of currency with gold) was abandoned in 1971. Every major international currency has followed suit since this time. The only thing actually "backing" our currency at this point in time is a "perception of value", which of course is very tenuous in these economic times.

The terms "backed" and "redeemable for" are two different animals in this case.

[LeftyFingerPop]

12. That particular $5 bill is circa 1890's. n/t

[kentauros]

8. One thing I'm curious about

and it's off-topic, not to mention something that's bothered me about many of these threads, but why are no images showing? What setting am I missing here? Because I'd love to see your images :) (not to mention all the others people get to comment on...)

[LeftyFingerPop]

11. I posted a request for advice in this thread kentauros....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7657979

I'm not sure exactly why you are not seeing the pics. Check for responses to the linked thread above. I'm sure that someone can steer you in the right direction. Thanks.

[Dr. Strange]

15. Do you see the squares where the images are supposed to be?

Try right-clicking on them and selecting "View Image" or "Show Picture" if you get that option.

Sometimes an image doesn't download immediately, but I don't know why.

[mikeytherat]

17. What type of web browser are you using?

I recently upgraded the version of Firefox I am using (v. 2.0.0.3 for Mac), and I had this exact issue. It was very easy to resolve.

mikey_the_rat

[Dr. Strange]

10. Wow...that there is some...

Big Money.

[democracyindanger]

16. It also used to be worth more.

HA!

You ever see Japanese Yen bills? Huge. Like carrying around postcards.