Why is American money sometimes refered to as 'Samolians'?

SIMOLEON first appeared in U.S. slang around 1896, and refers to one dollar. There may be a connection between 'Simoleon' and the Napoleon, a 20 franc French coin issued by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800s. A reference is also made to the 'simon', British slang for sixpence, in the 17th century. In the late 19th century inflation caused the simon to refer to a dollar. The Word Detective goes on to say that perhaps Simoleon is a combination of 'simon' and 'Napoleon', originating in New Orleans, where French currency was still common at the time.

Thanks to 'The Word Detective' at - http://www.word-detective.com/082498.html - for his article 'Take back your Moolah.'