People are freaking out over the new $100 bills. Here's how they looked in ye olde days.
Pre-1860s
When we didn't have a centralized bank, private banks would issue their own notes. So your paper "money" might look different depending on what institution you got it at.
Source: vernpotter.com
1860s
At this point — during the Civil War — these United States Notes or Legal Tender gained a nickname you've probably heard: Greenbacks.
Source: planetoddity.com
1860s
The Confederacy actually had currency of their own. And it certainly reflected the values and circumstances of the South — this note depicts a slave loading cotton into a wagon.
Source: rebelstatescurrency.com
1863
A very rare Gold Certificate. This would have represented actual gold coins. It's up for auction with a starting bid of $900,000. So if you have money...to buy money...go for it.
Source: currency.ha.com
