OLD-FREDERICK-CO-VA-L Archives

From: Kiddy <>
Subject: Tobacco as currency
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 19:45:59 -0700

Hi,

I was on vacation and off the list for a few weeks, so I don't know
where the discussion of tobacco as currency stands at present, but I just
came across the following in "A History of Randolph County West Virginia
..." by Dr. A. S. Bosworth (Elkins, WV, 1916), pp. 175-6 and thought I
would share it in case it hasn't shown up before:
"From the formation of the government of Virginia until 1794,
tobacco was the legal currency of the state, one hundred pounds being
equivalent to one pound in coin. One pound was the equivalent of 3 1/3
cents.
"By an act of 1788, the county court was for the trial of all
presentments and criminal prosecutions, suits at common law and in
chancery, where the sum exceeded five pounds or 500 pounds of tobacco,
depending therein and continuing for the space of six days unless the
business should be sooner determined...."

Kiddy

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• Tobacco as currency by Kiddy <>