Republican (nationalist) President Abraham Lincoln, of the united States—without a constitutional amendment—signs the National Currency Act of 1864, allowing federally chartered banks to issue irredeemable currency backed by federal bonds (debt obligations).  And it places a ten percent sumptuary (prohibitive) tax on banknotes issued by State chartered banks, placing them at a competitive disadvantage against the national banks.

       Postscript: The act quickly had the desired effect of driving the notes of State chartered banks out of circulation.

       [updated 3/1/2025] Thanks to Freedom’s Phoenix for this entry.