In the Money!

You probably know that our calling as records preservers has us making digital copies of legal documents. Most of the documents we copy are related to people who have passed away and are trying to make sure their loved ones will still be cared for when they are gone. Some of the copies we make are of things that may not be important in the long run, but were important at the time.

I was making copies this morning on a probate packet when I turned a page in one of the records and right in front of me was an unusual one-dollar bill. It was dated 1862, the same time as the Civil War. I didn't think this could be a real dollar, but it was! After I showed it to Elaine she took it to an archive employee who had the director of the archives come and see it.  After examining it he explained that one dollar bills came about at the beginning of the Civil War and this dollar was quite rare because it was in such good condition.  Later in the afternoon he came back and showed us a book he had with lots of information on various types of currency. According to the book he said our little dollar bill from 1862 would now bring in $175.00.

This morning before we left for the archives Elaine had prayed that we would be aware of significant things that we might find as we searched the documents we were working on.  I think we had one of those opportunities she prayed for.  Before the day was over many of the employees had heard about what we had found.  It is really fun to work with all the people who work at the Archives.  This gave us another opportunity  to show the people we work with what we do.  I love being in this beautiful country with all the colored leaves and the houses and the government buildings and today I loved being a part of such a fun discovery.