From the earliest times when commodities such as tobacco and beaver pelts were used as money, to the present when credit and debit cards are commonplace, money has played a central role in the U.S. experience. This booklet provides an historical overview of the concept of money as it has evolved in the United States. The booklet is divided into the following sections: "The Beginnings...and Beyond"; "The Constitution and Money"; "Fear of Paper"; "The U.S. Mint"; "Bank of the United States"; "Second Bank of the United States"; "The Free Banking Period"; "National Currency and National Banks"; "National Currency and the Constitution"; "A Return to Gold..."; "And Maybe Silver..."; "...But Finally Gold"; "Federal Reserve and Elastic Currency"; "The Break with Gold"; and "The Story Continues...." Included with the booklet is a teaching guide that contains content questions and answers and activity suggestions. (BT)