The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-11-17
HOLD SHTNPLASTERs.
LARGE AMOUNT OF THEM STILL
OUTSTANDING.
Pieces Presented for redemption Each
Year Are Few Ia Number-Is-
sues Are Nov Almost
Forgotten.

1 EofBQtteu.
II is more than probable that. should
one OF the present generation be given
| 1 I5-eent or 25-cent note of the frae-
tional currency so common In this
country IRON 1862 to the middle of the
50's, he or she would refuse to take Ii,
on the ground that twas either spurious
or piece Of confederate money,
There are thousands who have never
seen a specimen OF this currency and
| set cnly few years ago Il was In eyory-
ones hand used as medium OF an sorts
Of trade aud carried with lt one Of the
most prosperous periods this country
has ever Ruowuat least according to
The view taken BY od timers who we're
actively engaged III business during the
decade following the civil war
There Is moro of this fractional cur
reney floating around at even this late
day, however, than Que would az frst
imagine or course, there Is little that
finds its way into the channels OF trade.
but every now and then piece OF ii bobs
up. and unless Il comes into the possess
sion Of one who Is familiar with II and
70 whom Il is likely to bring thousand-
ftld memories Il generally causes a con.
,royersy on the spot
J A considerable amount is redeemed
A, the treasury department every year.
and the amount so redeemed has tn-
creased very nerceptibly during hard
times and lessened during periods OF
comparative prosperity The dearth OF
ready money has many times forced
those who have boarded up the little
notes TO go down into their stockings
for the coin
In few years treasury officials expect
that the amount presented yearly viii
dwindle to a few hundred dollars. and
when this state OF affairs is reached It is
probable the notes will stop coming in
altogether shortly afterward. their hold
ers preferring to keep them as souvenirs
Of dispose OF them after added years have
given them an Increased value IS curlos.
The whole amount outstanding against
the government as n debt al this tim0
is only little more than SIS $50 600
While there are so many persons who
are not familiar with the "shlnplast-
ers." as they we're commonly dubbed.
there are sun many left'to whom they
recall vivid memories, When the years
are reckoned II was not so long ago that
the medium Of exchange was much In
evidence. and along with the thought OF
Il comes the recollection OF the countless
ad~srtising schemes that were based
upon a suitable pocketbook or holder for
this currency.
Many Of those 10 whom the dIminutlvs
notes were once familiar sights will
aver In no weak tones that when the
country was flooded with thls fraction
Al currency and the same notes of larger
denomination that period vas the most
prosperous In their experiences. CeFtaiH
Il Sas, they say. that everyone had
money. and plenty Of lt--at least 20 far
as actual quantity OF paper went
The frst issue OF the fractional postal |
currency Eas made under an act au-
thorixing Il passed july Z. 1852. and 500 |
2i5 s35 was issued In denominations OF |
s. 10, Is. Is and 50 cents The second |
and all issues thereafter we're made un-
der an act passed March 3. 1866. In the |
second issue the denominations we're
the same as In the first. the amount be- !
ing t23. 1e4 4s3 S. A new denomination !
was introduced In the third lssue-the |
scent note-and the amount issued |
vas nearly twice a. much as that already |
In circulation under the two previous
issues-Sse lis. .0sss0 In this last is
sue there were two 50-csnt notes. . rare |
In the same series. One has /
a picture Of justice and the other por- |
trait of Spinner. the latter being high
~ prized specimen Of the currency The
s-cent note--and the amount issued !
two of the hardest" specimens. IN tha
Vernscular OF The small boy and the col /
loetor 70 obtain
IN the fourth Issue. made under act Of /
June 30. 1864. amending the previous /
acts there were three series the FIRST |
carrying 10. 70. 25 and 50-eent notes
and the other two additional 50-eent /
bills The i5-cent note made IL lrst |
appearance AZ this time and the amount
issued vas Ie.5s7 .g5z The last issue
carried but three denominations. the 10. |
25 and J0-eent notes. the amount put /
into circulation being t62 6s1 300.
The notes OF the firat three issues we're |
not very artistic and were too small. with
the exception OF the tuo s0-cent notes
OF the third issue The last two issues
were really beautiful specimens Of the !
art of engraving and bank note printing.
the notes of the last issue resembling
the famllIary treasury note Of to-day is
ninisture