Non-musical history for today: 1792 – The Coinage Act was passed by Congress, establishing the United States Mint. It established the US Silver Dollar as the standard valued like the quite popular Spanish Silver Dollar. There’s been speculation, debunkings, and reassertions over the years about what is actually printed or minted denomination-wise. So, we know of $1, $2 (rare but still printed), $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 bills. There is a $500 bill with President McKinley on it, but originally had Chief Justice John Marshall on it. No longer printed, but it is still legal tender. There is a $1000 bill with several faces, but the last was President Cleveland. Since 1969, the Treasury’s policy has been to withdraw any it finds, but it remains legal tender. The discontinued $5,000 bill features President Monroe. The Treasury withdraws any it finds, but it is still legal tender. The discontinued $10,000 bill started with President Andrew Jackson, but ended up with Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase. Legal tender. There was a $100,000 bill used solely for interbank transactions. It had President Wilson’s face. It is no longer used and is not legal tender. It is illegal for private collectors to possess one.

Coin-wise, we know of 50¢ and $1 coins (both still minted). But, did you know there were 1⁄2¢, 2¢, 3¢, 20¢, $2.50, $3, $5, $10, $20 coins, too? They are all discontinued, but still legal tender. $25, $50, $100 were not intended for circulation but were “things,” apparently. Ka-ching!

Music history, album anniversaries, birthdays, and deaths for April 2.

Recorded in the Omniverus Podcast Studios at Liberty Plaza.

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