During the Civil War, coins disappeared from circulation. People
hoarded “hard money” and spent paper money. Because almost no coins
remained in circulation, it was a pain to make change for small
purchases.
A solution came when New-York Tribune owner
Horace Greeley suggested using postage stamps instead of small change.
Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase petitioned Congress to authorize
Greeley’s idea. On July 17, an act was passed allowing the Treasury to
issue Postage Currency.
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