When the American Revolution began, the American colonies faced the huge challenge of paying for a costly war. Without gold or silver in the treasury and no power to tax individual states, the Continental Congress authorized the printing of paper currency that would be used instead of “hard” money—gold or silver. These examples of Continental currency printed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the war show how the Congress used images and mottos to inspire patriotism while reminding Americans of the desperate nature of the struggle to resist the might of the British empire. Without money in the national treasury to back the millions of dollars of paper money the Continental Congress printed, the notes almost immediately plummeted in value. The expression, “not worth a Continental” became a common phrase to refer to something of little or no value.
This five dollar note printed in 1776 includes an image of a bleeding hand grasping a thorny plant and the Latin phrase, “SUSTINE VEL ABSTINE” meaning, “Support Me Or Let Me Alone.” “PERRINIS,” meaning “Everlasting,” appeared on a $50 note above a temple or pyramid of thirteen steps representing the 13 colonies. “EXITUS IN DUBIO EST”, meaning “The Outcome Is In Doubt” appears over an eagle in a desperate struggle with a heron on this three dollar bill printed in 1775. A four dollar bill printed in 1779 includes a red boar charging into a spear under the motto: “AUT MORS AUT VITA DECORA”: “Either Death Or Honorable Life.” A half dollar note features an image of the Sun, a sundial, and “FUGIT” referring to the famous phrase, “Time Flies,” and a reminder in English to “Mind Your Business.”
