Some assessors adorned their otherwise drab government forms.

Tax Assessment Lists of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Today’s post is written by Elise Fariello, Archives Technician at the National Archives at Chicago  A passionate distaste for taxes is built into the very foundation of the United States. Taxation without consent was one of the grievances to King George III outlined in the Declaration of Independence and played no small part in the … Continue reading Tax Assessment Lists of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Can a Souvenir Lead to the Slammer? The Denver Mint Weighs in on Elongated Coins

Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives at Denver and collector of elongated coins, having picked up over 600 in his travels across the United States. Crushed penny. Pressed penny. Smushed penny. Squished penny. Regardless of the name, when you start to look, one sees them everywhere: at zoos and … Continue reading Can a Souvenir Lead to the Slammer? The Denver Mint Weighs in on Elongated Coins

Oliver Pollock – Supporter of the Revolution, Creator of ‘$’

Today's post was written by Jackie Kilby, Archives Technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Oliver Pollock is a name not widely known in American History.  He was an Irish immigrant who settled in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and later found work as a successful merchant and trader in Philadelphia.  After the end of the … Continue reading Oliver Pollock – Supporter of the Revolution, Creator of ‘$’

The Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin – the Dollar of the Future?

Today's post was written by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives in Denver. A “Carter Quarter.” The “Edsel of coins.” From newspaper articles found in Record Group 104 Records of the U.S. Mint one gets a glimpse of the widespread dissatisfaction and derision heaped upon the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, minted for only … Continue reading The Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coin – the Dollar of the Future?

Follow the money: the origins of the Secret Service

Today's post is by National Archives Volunteer Bill Nigh. This is the sequel to his earlier post. _____ In my first post, I briefly described the volunteer project based on the records of the U.S. Secret Service  (Record Group 87).  I stated that this organization began its presidential security mission following a presidential assassination, but its initial … Continue reading Follow the money: the origins of the Secret Service