The Art of Paper Money

In 1863 the United States 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 Vanderlyn’s painting of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus was installed in the Capitol Rotunda in 1847. It depicts the landing of Columbus on a beach in the West Indies in 1492. This moment is often regarded as the beginning of European engagement with the Americas. The painting is replicated on the first five dollar national note.

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.

The U.S. government released a series of silver certificates in 1896 with neoclassical designs. They are considered to be among the most beautiful American notes ever printed. These notes are often referred to as the “Educational Series.” The one-dollar note depicts the allegorical figure of History instructing Youth. The two dollar note depicts the figure of Science presenting the children, Steam and Electricity, to the adults, Commerce and Manufacture. The figure of Electricity also appears on the five dollar note, but there she has matured into a powerful woman of influence.