Colonial Currency
Colonial Currency was first issued in 1690 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Before this the Colonial economy depended largely on foreign coins, barter, and commodity money. Other colonies soon began to issue their own paper currency. Usually denominated in Spanish Milled Dollars, Colonial notes were also denominated in British shillings, pounds, and pence. In 1764, the British declared Colonial currency illegal. Beginning in 1775, the Continental Congress issued currency to finance the war.
Buy Colonial Currency in San Diego
Buy colonial currency at the San Diego Coin & Bullion store. We’re the go-to dealer for colonial currency in Southern California. Whether you’re looking to start a colonial currency collection or add to an existing one, our staff is here to help you find exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial Currency
Colonists used a mix of currencies, including British pounds, Spanish dollars (pieces of eight), and locally issued colonial currency. Barter and commodities like tobacco were also commonly used in trade.
The value of a colonial dollar today depends on its rarity, condition, and historical significance. Some colonial notes might be worth a few hundred dollars, while rare examples could be valued at thousands. If you’re curious how much your colonial dollar is worth, bring it into our San Diego coin store and we can give you a quote.
Colonial currency refers to paper money issued by the American colonies before and during the American Revolution. It includes bills of credit, notes issued by individual colonies, and Continental currency issued by the Continental Congress to fund the war effort.