Between 1862 and 1876, the United States Government issued twenty-four varieties of fractional currency notes, to alleviate the consequences of an acute coin shortage. Early notes became known as "postage stamp currency" because they bore the images of postage stamps, while later issues were known as "fractional currency."

 New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B., 1382

United States fractional currency, 10 cents

Meredith head, c. 1875

(front and back)

William Meredith was Secretary of the United States Treasury 1849-50.

 New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B., 1383

United States fractional currency, 10 cents

Miss Liberty head, 1869-75

(front and back)

New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B., 1384

United States postage currency, 10 cents

Washington head, 1862-63

(front and back)

New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B., 1385

United States postage currency, 25 cents

Jefferson head, 1862-63

(front and back)