What was the early 19 century equivalent of the English pound sterling
to the American dollar?

epaepa,

Thank you for your interesting question regarding the exchange rate of
the Pound vs the Dollar in the 19th century.  Since you didn't specify
a particular year, below I have provided the exchange rate from
1800-1850.  The number is the dollar amount required to buy one
British Pound:


1800 $4.55 
1801 $4.38 
1802 $4.49 
1803 $4.54 
1804 $4.55 
1805 $4.35 
1806 $4.43 
1807 $4.42 
1808 $4.63 
1809 $4.57 
1810 $4.30 
1811 $3.82 
1812 $3.62 
1813 $3.75 
1814 $4.24 
1815 $4.90 
1816 $5.22 
1817 $4.60 
1818 $4.50 
1819 $4.51 
1820 $4.52 
1821 $4.82 
1822 $4.98 
1823 $4.80 
1824 $4.87 
1825 $4.83 
1826 $4.92 
1827 $4.94 
1828 $4.93 
1829 $4.86 
1830 $4.76 
1831 $4.86 
1832 $4.86 
1833 $4.79 
1834 $4.64 
1835 $4.85 
1836 $4.82 
1837 $5.10 
1838 $4.89 
1839 $4.99 
1840 $5.00 
1841 $4.99 
1842 $4.80 
1843 $4.79 
1844 $4.86 
1845 $4.87 
1846 $4.82 
1847 $4.79 
1848 $4.87 
1849 $4.81 
1850 $4.87 

Again, thank you for your question.  If you need any further
clarification, please let me know.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
Exhcange rate pound sterling dollar historical

Reference:
What was the Exhcange Rate then?
http://eh.net/hmit/exchangerates/pound.php

Class is reading Emma. Want to be accurate. Thanks for help.