This post is by Lee Ann Potter, Director of Educational Outreach at the Library of Congress.
In the September 2014 issue of Social Education, the journal of the National Council for the Social Studies, our “Sources and Strategies” article focused on the economic challenges facing the young United States at the time of the Constitutional Convention. We suggested that continental currency might ignite student interest in the subject.
Continental currency was paper money issued during the revolution that had no backing in gold or silver. These notes were backed by the “anticipation” of tax revenues. Without solid backing and easily counterfeited, they quickly lost value, giving rise to the phrase “not worth a Continental.” Not only did the federal Congress