1. small denomination paper money or currency notes of little value
Usage: historical; informal

Examples

• The old shinplasters from the Civil War era are now collector’s items.
• During the economic crisis, people complained about being paid in worthless shinplasters.
• The merchant reluctantly accepted the worn shinplasters as payment.
• Historical museums often display examples of shinplasters from different periods.
• The term shinplasters originally referred to fractional currency notes.
• Collectors prize well-preserved shinplasters from the 1860s.