Value of $1 from 1640 to 1715
$1 in 1640 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $0.46 in 1715, a difference of $-0.54 over 75 years. The dollar had an average deflation rate of -1.03% per year since 1640, producing a cumulative price change of -54.17%.
This means that prices in 1715 are 54.17% lower than average prices in 1640, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
The inflation rate in 1640 was -12.73%. The inflation rate in 1715 was 18.92%. The 1715 inflation rate is higher compared to the average inflation rate of 1.40% per year between 1715 and 2026.
Contents
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| Cumulative price change | -54.17% |
| Average inflation rate | -1.03% |
|
Converted amount
$1 base | $0.46 |
|
Price difference
$1 base | $-0.54 |
| CPI in 1640 | 9.600 |
| CPI in 1715 | 4.400 |
| Inflation in 1640 | -12.73% |
| Inflation in 1715 | 18.92% |
| $1 in 1640 | $0.46 in 1715 |
Buying power of $1 in 1640
This chart shows a calculation of buying power equivalence for $1 in 1640 (price index tracking began in 1635).
For example, if you started with $1, you would need to end with $0.46 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes refered to as "beating inflation").
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each of these USD amounts below is equal in terms of what it could buy at the time:
This conversion table shows various other 1640 amounts in 1715 dollars, based on the -54.17% change in prices:
| Initial value | Equivalent value |
|---|---|
| $1 dollar in 1640 | $0.46 dollars in 1715 |
| $5 dollars in 1640 | $2.29 dollars in 1715 |
| $10 dollars in 1640 | $4.58 dollars in 1715 |
| $50 dollars in 1640 | $22.92 dollars in 1715 |
| $100 dollars in 1640 | $45.83 dollars in 1715 |
| $500 dollars in 1640 | $229.17 dollars in 1715 |
| $1,000 dollars in 1640 | $458.33 dollars in 1715 |
| $5,000 dollars in 1640 | $2,291.67 dollars in 1715 |
| $10,000 dollars in 1640 | $4,583.33 dollars in 1715 |
| $50,000 dollars in 1640 | $22,916.67 dollars in 1715 |
| $100,000 dollars in 1640 | $45,833.33 dollars in 1715 |
| $500,000 dollars in 1640 | $229,166.67 dollars in 1715 |
| $1,000,000 dollars in 1640 | $458,333.33 dollars in 1715 |
Inflation by Spending Category
CPI is the weighted combination of many categories of spending that are tracked by the government. Breaking down these categories helps explain the main drivers behind price changes.
This chart shows the average rate of inflation for select CPI categories between 1640 and 1715.
Compare these values to the overall average of -1.03% per year:
| Category | Avg Inflation (%) | Total Inflation (%) | $1 in 1640 → 1715 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and beverages | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Housing | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Apparel | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Transportation | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Medical care | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Recreation | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Education and communication | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| Other goods and services | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
The graph below compares inflation in categories of goods over time. Click on a category such as "Food" to toggle it on or off:
For all these visualizations, it's important to note that not all categories may have been tracked since 1640. This table and charts use the earliest available data for each category.
How to calculate inflation rate for $1, 1640 to 1715
Our calculations use the following inflation rate formula to calculate the change in value between 1640 and 1715:
CPI in 1715CPI in 1640
×
1640 USD value
=
1715 USD value
Then plug in historical CPI values. The U.S. CPI was 9.6 in the year 1640 and 4.4 in 1715:
4.49.6
×
$1
=
$0.46
$1 in 1640 has the same "purchasing power" or "buying power" as $0.46 in 1715.
To get the total inflation rate for the 75 years between 1640 and 1715, we use the following formula:
CPI in 1715 - CPI in 1640CPI in 1640
×
100
=
Cumulative inflation rate (75 years)
Plugging in the values to this equation, we get:
4.4 - 9.69.6
×
100
=
-54%
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1640 worth in 1715?
$1 in 1640 has about the same buying power as $0.46 in 1715, based on the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices in 1715 are 54.17% lower than they were in 1640.
What was the inflation rate in 1640?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1640 was -12.73%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1639 to 1640. See inflation in 1640 for more detail.
What has the average inflation rate been from 1640 to 1715?
Prices fell by an average of 1.03% per year between 1640 and 1715, a cumulative decrease of 54.17%. Because inflation compounds, these yearly changes add up over 75 years.
How is this calculated?
Divide the CPI in 1715 (4.4) by the CPI in 1640 (9.6), then multiply by the original amount: 4.4 ÷ 9.6 × $1 = $0.46. See the step-by-step formula above.
Data source & citation
Raw data for these calculations comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI), established in 1913. Price index data from 1774 to 1912 is sourced from a historical study conducted by political science professor Robert Sahr at Oregon State University and from the American Antiquarian Society. Price index data from 1634 to 1773 is from the American Antiquarian Society, using British pound equivalents.
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “$1 in 1640 → 1715 | Inflation Calculator.” Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 3 Oct. 2026, https://www.officialdata.org/us/inflation/1640?amount=1&endYear=1715.
Special thanks to QuickChart for their chart image API, which is used for chart downloads.
| Cumulative price change | -54.17% |
| Average inflation rate | -1.03% |
|
Converted amount
$1 base | $0.46 |
|
Price difference
$1 base | $-0.54 |
| CPI in 1640 | 9.600 |
| CPI in 1715 | 4.400 |
| Inflation in 1640 | -12.73% |
| Inflation in 1715 | 18.92% |
| $1 in 1640 | $0.46 in 1715 |