This might sound odd...

I was recently reading about the large-format US notes from (I
think) the 1920s and prior.

And that made me wonder about wallets, and the average person
carrying those notes around. Which actually is relevant today.

For example, an average wallet made now is, of course, sized for
the current types of notes. Folding in half, or in thirds.

But, back in the old days, there were many notes (in the US and
other countries) which were significantly larger, from top to
bottom.

Did they just have taller wallets, then? Or was it more common
for people to use a metal money-clip, with the wad of notes
folded in half?

Or did lots of people just stuff the notes into a pocket or
purse? Maybe folded into quarters? After all, five dollars, or
five pounds (or similar denomination) was a lot of money back
then. So you might go into town for your weekly shopping with
only one note in your possession. Which might mean that you
didn't have a wallet (since they are sort of designed to carry
multiple notes.)

And, the $64,000 question... How does this relate to the wear
patterns on those notes? If I put one into my modern wallet,
there might result a crumpled strip along the top. If I had just
one loose in my pocket, that might mean hard folds (half or
quarter.) If it was in a taller wallet, then the wear would be
more like modern notes (did they favour wither half- or third-
fold wallets then?) While a money-clip would have various levels
of fold-wear in the middle, but generally more overall wear (and
corner wear) than in an appropriately-sized wallet.

Any comments?


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