paper money

紙幣／ banknote　—　Institutions

Money made by writing a face value on paper.

Pennsylvania note printed by Franklin — A photograph of the real thing this term names.

Continental note (one sixth of a dollar) — A photograph of the real thing this term names.

It began as a certificate promising 'to return deposited metal'. When the paper continued to circulate even after this promise was severed, money became completely detached from its material.

⚠ Paper does not last. The scarcity of banknotes as historical sources is not because few were issued, but because they were worn out and discarded, or collected and burned.