One (1) 100 dollar note
United States, 1875
Obverse Image: At left, ships and men rowing a boat during the Battle of Lake Erie. At right, winged Liberty seated by a fasces.
Obverse Text: C / 100 / NATIONAL CURRENCY. / THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON. / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / NEW YORK / JULY 1ST 1865. / THE LEATHER MANUFACTURERS NATIONAL BANK OF NEW YORK WILL PAY ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO BEARER ON DEMAND / NEW YORK / A145208 / 1196 / SERIES 1875. / PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING & PRINTING. U.S. TREASURY DEPT.
Reverse Image: The signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Reverse Text: 100 / C / NATIONAL CURRENCY / DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE / US / THIS NOTE IS RECIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AS EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT / COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE OR 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR OR BOTH.
In 1863 the U.S. issued its first national notes and decided to feature historically themed paintings from the Capitol Rotunda on the reverse. The paintings were shrunk from their original size of twelve by eight feet to a mere four-and-a-half by two-and-a-half inches, but maintained the detail and quality of the paintings. This decision converted national treasures into national currency.
John Trumbull painted four of the eight paintings in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. His paintings Surrender of General Burgoyne and Declaration of Independence are featured on the reverse of the first 100 dollar and 500 dollar national notes.
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