American Currency Exhibit

In society today, money’s value is typically only measured by what it can buy – its purchasing power – not by its intrinsic material worth. However, this hasn’t always been the case. Explore the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s American Currency Exhibit online, a truly priceless collection that brings history alive and shows you how currency actually shaped our country’s history.

Money hasn’t always looked like it does today, but evolved over the last few centuries to become the size and shape that we now carry in our wallets. Learn how our country’s vibrant history – from times of financial crisis and war, to the demand for a stable monetary system – transformed the appearance of American currency as we know it. Discover the role the Federal Reserve played, and continues to play, in this rich history.

View the Showcase of Bills below to examine highlights from the collection. Tour the Exhibit by Era to follow the historical evolution of U.S. currency and gain a fascinating, colorful, and reflective glimpse into the growth of our nation. We think you’ll find many fascinating stories behind this invaluable currency collection and its legacy. After all, who doesn’t like stories about money?

Exhibit by Era

  • Independence
  • Westward Expansion
  • Civil War
  • Industrial Revolution
  • Metal Standards
  • National Stability
  • World Standard

Showcase of Bills