In the winter of 1777 George Washington was stationed with his troops at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. A mere 20 miles from British occupied Philadelphia.

Stationed troops were battling hunger and illness as the winter dragged on. Food stores at Valley Forge were growing rancid and supply was dwindling.

Forced to venture out to the surrounding area for supplies, Colonial soldiers were exchanging for provisions using the continental paper money. During the same time British troops were venturing into the same overlapping area and buying stores from farms with their gold and silver.

This paper money the colonialists were using was seen as far inferior to the money the British were provisioned with. Exchange between the locals and military men greatly favored the British during this period.

This reminds me of the quote by Saifedean "History shows it is not possible to insulate yourself from the consequences of others holding money that is harder than yours."