One of the curiosities, if not wonders of the world, is afforded in the
Continental money, or Continental bills, issued by congress in the early
stages of the Revolutionary struggle, a specimen of which may be seen in
the cut. These bills were of various denominations, and were issued by
thousands on thousands. But from the very great extent of their issue,
and the fact that the government could not redeem them in silver and
gold, they rapidly depreciated in value, till at last they became almost
worthless. As they are now almost never seen, except it be in some
museum, or collection of old curiosities, the _fac-simile_ given above
can not fail to be of interest.