# US Postal Currency 5 cent 1862 1863

- By: United States Post Office Department.
- Date: 1862
- Classification: Photograph
- Credit line: This banknote was scanned by User:Swtpc6800 (Michael Holley) on an Epson Perfection V500 Photo at 720 dpi. Scanned January 2012.
- Museum: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Postal_Currency_5_cent_1862_1863.jpg)
- Rights: Public domain
- Picture: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/US_Postal_Currency_5_cent_1862_1863.jpg/1920px-US_Postal_Currency_5_cent_1862_1863.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Five-cent US Postal Currency, first issue, featuring Thomas Jefferson. Gold, silver and copper coins were horded at the start of the Civil War and postages stamps became a popular form of currency; however the adhesive back was a serious impediment. On July 17, 1862, Congress authorized printing of Postal Currency notes in the denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents. These notes could be redeemed for postage stamps or for a US bank note in the amount of five dollars or more. The Postal Currency was succeeded by Fractional Currency in 1863.