“The Colonial Beginnings of American Currency”

As America’s 250th anniversary celebrating the separation from Britain continues, Quakertown resident John Ambrose discusses a very practical obstacle along the path to our country’s independence; how to finance the Revolutionary War and conduct commerce in the absence of a banking system. The evolution of money, especially early colonial paper currency, tells a fascinating story about the birth of our democracy. Every colonial note was hand-signed in ink, often by leaders in society who also were leading the struggle for freedom. Meet some of these patriots who risked it all in the colonies’ fight for freedom. Learn their stories by examining actual colonial notes that bear their names, and explore how currency and colonial coinage was used.