Civil War Scrip, "United States Army, 5 Cents in Merchandise," 1861-1865

Paper currency became necessary when metal coins became scarce during the Civil War. Hoarding of coins by U. S. citizens drove this scarcity and created a need for a paper version of small change. This privately issued five-cent note was redeemable in merchandise but only from George Davidson, a sutler -- a civilian supplier of goods to the army.