Nearly 165 years ago on Feb. 25, 1862, Congress passed the Legal Tender Act, creating the nation’s first form of paper currency.

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Erika Rasure is globally-recognized as a ...

Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia, R-Tilton, has introduced a bill to make gold and silver legal tender in New Hampshire. Harvey-Bolia argued that gold and silver can hedge against inflation and allow people ...

Louisiana may soon start accepting gold and silver as currency if proposed legislation is enacted by legislators in the Louisiana Legislature. Eleven states currently recognize gold and silver coins ...

Other states are testing parallel currencies, but legal, political and fiscal roadblocks make the idea nearly impossible in the Golden State. Imagine walking into your local coffee shop in Los Angeles ...