Overview of Merchants Scrip
from Chattanooga, TN
The scrip is listed alphabetically by issuing company, or signature with a few notes on each page.
Where there a large number of notes from a single company they are listed all on one page.
The scrip issues were money of necessity used to transact business. It is sometimes
difficult to determine who issued it. Most of it is rare or unique.
Merchants Scrip Issued Before the Civil War
Most scrip issued prior to the Civil War was specifically printed for a specific company or businessman
with the name printed and signed by the principle officer.
Civil War Merchants Scrip
Fractional currency or scrip came into prominence during the Civil
War because US coins were hoarded because their bullion value was greater
than their monetary value and because the CSA did not produce coins. The CSA
did not produce any fractions currency before Chattanooga fell to Union
forces. Most of the scrip issued during the Civil War was not printed for a specific
business it was general scrip that any business could buy, sign and issue.
Merchants Scrip Issued After the Civil War
Most scrip issued after to the Civil War was specifically printed for a specific company in many different
denominations with the company name printed and signed by an official of the company.
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