Economic Education Publications

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston issues a wide array of economic educational publications designed for schools from elementary through college levels, and for a variety of adult audiences including business groups, bankers, community organizations, consumer and social service professionals. Topics range from basic economics and monetary policy to banking and currency.

Banking Basics
An overview of the banking system, including checks clearing, currency circulation, methods of payment, electronic banking and the role of the Federal Reserve

Coins and Currency

The history of American currency, from Columbus to the Information Age.

Historical Beginnings...The Federal Reserve
History of the U.S. banking system from 1789, the banking problems of the 19th century, and legislation that led to the formation of the Federal Reserve System

"History at Your Fingertips" and "Spirit of the Nation"

The evolution of paper currency in the United States, focusing on the different themes depicted on our bills

"Liberty" and "The American Eagle"

About the two emblems that were the hallmark of our early coinage

Pathways to Getting Ahead
Information for young adults about the importance of asset building in their personal lives and about how larger policy decisions impact the choices they make

Tools of the Trade: A Basic Guide to Financial Derivatives

Insight into when and how derivatives can be valuable tools for managing financial risk

Wishes and Rainbows
Comic book depicting the economic problem of scarce resources, various methods of allocation, and how societies react to alleviate such problems

Closed for the Holiday: The Bank Holiday of 1933

About the events leading to the collapse of American banking in March 1933 and the federal efforts to restore public confidence

History of Colonial Money

About the evolution of money in the Colonial period, including wampum, "country pay," foreign and domestic coins, bills of credit, and continental currency (with short glossary)