In the Old West era of the late 1800s, paper currency and coins were the main forms of money. Carrying and protecting one’s cash on hand was an important consideration for men going about their daily business or traveling long distances. The rugged nature of the Old West, with its remote towns and routes, meant men had to be clever and cautious about how they transported their money. A variety of methods and containers were devised to keep funds safe and secure.
Paper Currency
Paper money in the Old West often came in the form of banknotes issued by local banks or businesses. These were much larger in size than modern bills, roughly equivalent to today’s checkbook sizes. Rawhide pouches that could be belted at the waist were commonly used to carry these larger banknotes. The rawhide material was tough and durable, able to withstand the dirt and scrapes of everyday use. Stitching the edges of the pouch gave additional reinforcement. Some pouches featured inner compartments or sleeves to organize the contents.
Smaller paper notes could be folded and tucked into wallets carried in a trouser pocket or inside coat pocket. Wallets were typically made of leather or woven fabrics. Folding and organizing paper currency helped protect it from wear and tear during travels on horseback, in stagecoaches or trains. The tradition of the folding wallet emerged in this period for conveniently storing paper money and personal cards/documents.
Coins
While paper money was common, coins still comprised a significant portion of the money supply in the Old West. Precious metal coins like gold, silver and copper bits had intrinsic value as well as served transactional purposes. Carrying loose coins in a pocket or simple cloth sack meant they could easily be lost or stolen. As such, men in the Old West devised unique solutions for transporting coinage securely.
Leather coin pouches with drawstring tops were very popular for carrying coins. Often worn on a belt, these sturdy pouches had the top flap folded over and tightly cinched with the drawstrings to encapsulate the coins safely inside. The pouches came in a variety of shapes and sizes, some more elongated and others more rounded like a pocket. Small slits or holes were sometimes incorporated to prevent the bag from being easily snatched away.
Stacks of coins could be wrapped in paper or cloth and tied with string or twine. Coins might also be placed in small cloth bags and then tied at the neck. These bundles were often carried in coat pockets, saddle bags or other luggage when traveling. The wrapped bundles kept the coins organized and cushioned them against damage during transit.
Containers for Money Storage and Transport
In addition to pouches and wallets, a number of other handy containers served for safeguarding and transporting money in the Old West:
Money Belts
Leather money belts featured multiple compartments to hide paper bills and coins on one’s person under clothing. They offered discretion and peace of mind when traveling solo with large sums of cash. Money belts could be concealed under shirts or jackets, keeping funds close at hand but out of sight.
Saddle Bags
Cowboys and travelers on horseback relied heavily on saddle bags draped over their horses. With sturdy leather exteriors, these bags had pockets and pouches of various sizes to organize cash, gear and provisions. Saddle bags provided easy access to money while riding.
Stagecoaches
Stagecoaches enabled distant travel and transport of valuables in the Old West. Integrated iron strongboxes below the driver’s seat kept money secure over rough terrain. Passengers could also keep money pouches or wallets in their coat pockets or stowed with their baggage.
Trains
Passenger trains featured private strongboxes where travelers could lock away wallets, pouches and other valuables for long journeys. The availability of such secure storage compartments made train travel appealing for carrying large sums of money.
Safe Boxes
In offices, shops, hotels and homes, sturdy safe boxes (precursors to safes) stored significant amounts of cash and valuables. Various locking mechanisms and thick iron or steel exteriors kept the contents securely protected against thieves. Shop owners would use safe boxes to store daily receipts.
Suitcases
Hard-sided leather suitcases with locking latches gained popularity in the late 1800s for general travel and money transport. The durable cases contained pouches and folders for organizing paper currency, coins and important documents. Larger suitcases could hold sizable amounts of cash for big transactions.
Examples of Old West Money Containers
To visualize how cash was carried in the Old West era, here are some specific examples of period money containers:
Leather Billfold Wallet
This leather billfold dating to the late 1880s offered dedicated slots/sleeves to organize folded currency and documents. A metal clasp secured the central fold. With room for business cards and cash, it could fit into a coat pocket for everyday use.
Cloth Coin Purse
Small ornamental pouches like this beaded drawstring bag stored coins and smaller bill notes. Women favored embellished styles like this for everyday transactions. The drawstrings cinched tight to contain contents.
Leather Waterproof Money Belt
This wide, rugged leather money belt with zinc alloy buckle closure stored large amounts of currency while traveling, concealed under clothing. The waterproof layer kept contents safe from sweat and weather.
Coin Rolls
Rolled coins made for easy storage in purses, bags and suitcases. Paper wrappers held together stacks of single denominations. Merchants used rolls to organize and count large coin volumes.
Iron Safe Box
Floor safes like this had ornate ironwork facades but extremely sturdy iron or steel bodies to secure contents and thwart theft attempts. Cash drawers in stores fed directly into locked safe boxes. Keys and combination dials provided access.
| Money Container | Description | Security Features | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather wallet | Folded compartments for bills and cards | Metal clasp | Holds folded bills, cards |
| Coin purse | Drawstring bag | Drawstring cinches tight | Holds small number of coins |
| Money belt | Hidden waist belt | Worn under clothing | Holds large number of bills |
| Coin rolls | Paper wrappers | Tightly rolled | Organizes many coins |
| Safe box | Heavy iron or steel box | Locking mechanism | Stores high volumes of cash and valuables |
Security Considerations
Transporting cash on one’s person or via long distances had plenty of risks in the Old West’s often lawless environments. Various deterrents were employed to help protect money:
– Discreet fabrics and compartments kept money out of sight. Dark leather blended into clothing and luggage.
– Pouches with tight openings, clasps and drawstrings prevented accidental loss of contents.
– Wrapping paper around coin stacks minimized noise that could draw attention.
– Secured compartments in trains, stagecoaches and safe boxes deterred theft.
– Traveling in groups and using armed guards provided safety in numbers if accosted.
– Keeping reserve money split between multiple locations minimized total loss in case of theft.
– Burglar alarms were coming into use by the 1870s, alerting to safes and safe boxes being compromised.
Conclusion
Money in the Old West presented distinct transportation and security challenges. A variety of pouches, wallets, bags, boxes and other containers emerged to make carrying and safeguarding cash easier for men on the move. Leather and fabrics allowed people to keep money readily accessible but protected. Secured compartments in trains and stagecoaches enabled travel over long distances with money. Although risks still abounded, thoughtful methods helped mitigate the constant threat of money theft or loss for men in the 19th century’s Western territories.