Political Messages
Unity
During the Revolutionary period, American money often contained messages about unity. The image of thirteen interlocking rings on Continental money was intended to illustrate the solidarity of the thirteen colonies against the British crown. In the 1780s the new national motto, “E Pluribus Unum”—or “out of many, one”—began to appear on American coins.
1/6 Dollar Note, Colonial America, 1776
Donated by the Stack family
Independence and Strength
Some Continental currency of the Revolutionary period contained graphic illustrations inspired by the American colonies fighting and defeating Great Britain. On this note from 1779, America is depicted as an eagle eating the liver of the Greek god Prometheus, who represents a chained Great Britain. The eagle has become a prominent symbol of national strength on American money.
Liberty and Justice
Political ideals and values, such as liberty and justice, have often been depicted on American money as allegorical figures. On this interest-bearing note of 1863, Justice is shown holding her scales. A strong Liberty appears on the right side of the fifty dollar note from 1880 with her sword and shield. Liberty has also appeared on many U.S. coins.
50 Dollar Note, United States, 1880
Donated by U.S. Department of the Treasury
The Rule of Law
Currency issued by governments is protected by law. Historically money has conveyed messages to people about the consequences of counterfeiting it. These American colonial notes from the 1770s plainly state the punishment for falsely imitating the legal tender at the time, with phrases like: “‘Tis Death to Counterfeit.”
Counterfeiting Money
Counterfeiting money is illegal. It threatens the economy because it may prompt people to question if their money is genuine and if it will be accepted as payment. Governments also seek to prevent counterfeiting because it threatens their authority to manufacture money and to determine what can be used as legal tender. The presence of counterfeits may indicate that people lack confidence in a government or respect for its authority.
Counterfeit 20 Dollar Note, United States, 1862
Donated by The Chase Manhattan Bank
Foreign Coinage in Colonial America
Great Britain restricted American colonists from importing significant amounts of coinage to the colonies. As a result, coin shortages were a persistent problem. Colonists relied on any currency they could find to use, which included a wide range of coins from Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Latin America. Colonists also cut pieces from coins to make smaller denominations. The use of foreign coins reflects some of the economic challenges colonists faced prior to the Revolutionary War.
Money Made by American Colonists
Shortages of coins in colonial America motivated colonists to mint and print their own money. In 1652 the Massachusetts colony produced the first colonial American coins, and in 1690 it issued the first colonial paper money as well. Colonists’ creation of currencies demonstrated their increasing autonomy from Great Britain.
1 Shilling Coin, Colonial America, 1652
Donated by Emery May Holden Norweb
Altered 20 Shilling Note, Colonial America, 1690–91
Donated by Leonard H. Finn
1 Shilling Coin, Colonial America, 1667–74
Donated by Emery May Holden Norweb
Notes of the Civil War Era
At the beginning of the Civil War the U.S. government issued federal notes, often called greenbacks, to finance its war efforts. The government of the Confederate States of America also issued its own paper money depicting Confederate leadership and scenes from life in the South, including images of slavery. The difference in messages on the notes reflects the division between the northern and southern regions of the U.S. during the Civil War.
10 Dollar Note, Confederate States of America, 1861
Donated by Woodbury S. Ober
