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Fractional currency, also referred to as shinplasters, was introduced by the United States federal government following the outbreak of the Civil War. These low-denomination banknotes of the United States dollar were in use between 21 August 1862 and 15 February 1876, and issued in denominations of 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50 cents across five issuing periods. The complete type set is part of the National Numismatic Collection, housed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. The design of the first issue (postage currency) was directly based on the original handmade examples of United States treasurer Francis E. Spinner (pictured on banknote). Some varieties even had a perforated stamp-like edge. While not considered a legal tender, postage currency could be exchanged for United States Notes in five-dollar lots and were receivable in payment of all dues to the United States, up to five dollars. (Full list...)