Emergency Money
- Description
- When the nation's banks closed during the Depression, Leiter's Pharmacy in Pismo Beach, California, issued this clamshell as change.
- The 1929 stock market crash triggered banking panics, as people rushed to withdraw their savings before they were lost. In March 1933, President Roosevelt ordered a four-day bank holiday to prevent further withdrawals. To compensate for the currency shortage, communities created emergency money, or scrip. This clamshell was signed as it changed hands and redeemed when cash became available again.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- shell money, clam
- Date made
- 1933
- used date
- 1933
- referenced
- Leiter's Pharmacy
- Physical Description
- shells, clam (overall material)
- ink (overall material)
- white/yellow (overall color)
- black (overall color)
- marked with ink (overall production method/technique)
- Measurements
- average spatial: 97.9 mm x 133.6 mm; x 3 7/8 in x 5 1/4 in
- used
- United States: California, Pismo Beach
- ID Number
- 1979.1263.00467
- catalog number
- 1979.1263.00467
- accession number
- 1979.1263
- catalog number
- 79.112.OC102A
- subject
- Coins, Currency and Medals
- National Treasures exhibit
- event
- Bank Holiday of 1933
- See more items in
- Political History: National Numismatic Collection
- National Treasures exhibit
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- Related Publication
- Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
- Publication title
- Treasures of American History online exhibition
- Publication author
- National Museum of American History
- Publication URL
- http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
Visitor Comments