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An old-style currency note from the City of New Orleans, valued at one dollar. It features images of two ships, elaborate designs, and portraits of women. The note is dated January 1, 1863, with decorative borders and numerals 49 120.

Special Coinage

Money, Money, Money!
Money and Why There Was Never Enough
Banking in the Antebellum South
Banking and the Civil War
Greenback Revolution

At thirteen millimeters in diameter, the solid gold Liberty Head dollar is the smallest American coin ever minted. Designed by engraver James Longacre, the coin entered production in 1849, after gold bullion from California began flowing into the US Treasury. The Liberty Head’s size, however, made it easy to lose, and minting ceased in 1854. Its replacement, the slightly larger fifteen-millimeter Indian Princess coin, featuring Lady Liberty wearing Longacre’s interpretation of an American Indian headdress, had greater staying power. Production continued until 1889. 

The Seated Liberty design was developed by Christian Gobrecht and used on a variety of silver coins. The earliest, a dollar, was produced from 1836 to 1873. Other denominations included half dimes (1837–73); dimes (1837–91); twenty-cent pieces (1875–78); quarters (1838–91); and half dollars (1839–91).

The Barber series, named for designer Charles Barber, first appeared in 1892 on dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Production of Barber coins continued through 1916.

Produced from 1878 to 1921, Morgan dollars bear the likeness of Philadelphia teacher Anna Willess Williams, chosen by designer George T. Morgan based on what he considered her all- American features. Morgan’s choice represented a break with previous depictions of Lady Liberty, which had been inspired by classical figures. 

A gold coin featuring a left-facing profile of a woman wearing a headband. Stars surround the profile along the coins edge, set against a textured gray background.
United States of America Liberty Head one-dollar coin, 1853, gold by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, the L. Kemper and Leila Moore Williams Founders Collection, 72.913 WR
A gold coin from 1854 featuring a 1 Dollar inscription, encircled by a wreath and topped with the date. The coin is set against a gray background.
United States of America Indian Princess one-dollar coin (reverse), 1854, gold by the United States Mint (Philadelphia). HNOC, the L. Kemper and Leila Moore Williams Founders Collection, 72.914 WR
A weathered coin from 1833 with significant wear, making the design details hard to distinguish, set against a textured gray background.
United States of America Seated Liberty dime, 1838, stamped silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, gift of Raymond Hoffman, 1992.85.24
A vintage U.S. coin from 1855 featuring the Seated Liberty design. It shows a figure sitting and holding a staff, surrounded by stars on a grey background.
United States of America Seated Liberty half dollar, 1855, stamped silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, gift of Raymond Hoffman, 1992.85.26
A worn coin from 1858 displaying a seated figure in the center. The coin has visible tarnishing and the numbers 156 and 53 are printed in red over the figure. The background is a plain gray surface.
United States of America Seated Liberty half dime, 1858, stamped silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, gift of Boyd Cruise and Harold Schilke, 1953.156.1 i,ii
A silver coin featuring a profile of a person wearing a laurel wreath, surrounded by 13 stars. The date 1895 is visible at the bottom. The coin is set against a plain, dark background.
United States of America Barber half dollar, 1895, stamped silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, gift of Raymond Hoffman, 1992.85.28
An old American half dollar coin featuring an eagle with outstretched wings, a shield on its chest, and a banner reading E Pluribus Unum. The coin is surrounded by the text United States of America Half Dollar and stars.
United States of America Barber half dollar (reverse), 1903, stamped silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, gift of Raymond Hoffman, 1992.85.29
A silver coin with the profile of a woman wearing a headdress and the words E PLURIBUS UNUM along the top. The date 1898 is at the bottom. The number 1996.312 is in red on the side.
United States of America Morgan dollar, 1898, silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, given in memory of Walter J. Manning, 1996.31.2
Image of a U.S. silver dollar coin featuring an eagle with outstretched wings surrounded by the words United States of America and One Dollar. The coins intricate details are captured against a plain, dark background.
United States of America Morgan dollar (reverse), 1901, silver by the United States Mint (New Orleans). HNOC, given in memory of Walter J. Manning, 1996.31.3
Chapter 9: Municipal Currency in New Orleans