LEBANON COUNTY Pennsylvania

6 1/4¢ April 16, 1838

"Hard Times" merchant scrip

Issued during the economic turmoil following the Panic of 1837, this rare 6¼¢ note reflects the ingenuity of local merchants in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. With federal coinage scarce, small denominations like this were essential for daily transactions. The unusual 6¼¢ value—1/16 of a dollar—was practical for pricing goods sold by the pound or yard, such as molasses, tobacco, or textiles.

The note promises redemption in current bank notes when presented in sums of five dollars, a common stipulation during the Hard Times era. Its engraved vignette of a mill or factory beside a waterfall likely depicts a local landmark, reinforcing its regional character.

Rare Fractional Denomination!