From time to time we teach a lesson that uses a dollar amount (tax in Colonial America, poll tax, pay ect.) most of my students scoff at the low amount. I find it helpful to "translate" it into current year dollars. While the inflation data is fairly confident after the depression there are some models that try to calculate purchasing power as far back as 1776. I've included the site below. Hopefully, you will be able to help your students understand the impact of these things in current dollars.

http://www.in2013dollars.com/1776-dollars-in-2017