|
 Seals
have been an important element of our currency from Colonial times. They
have appeared on most notes throughout our country's history. The Seal
of the U.S. Treasury is older than the Constitution of the United States.
It was designed in the 1770s, and it has appeared on every piece of paper
money issued by the Department of the Treasury since it began printing
paper money in 1862. |
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The Great Seal of the United States became the
national emblem in 1782 but did not appear on paper money until 1902.
Since 1935, the one-dollar bill has shown the Great Seal, which is rich
in symbolism. On the front, the eagle holds an olive branch in its right
talon, symbolizing peace. The 13 leaves and 13 berries represent the 13
original colonies. In the left talon is a bundle of 13 arrows, signifying
the original colonies' fight for liberty. A ribbon flying from the beak
of the eagle carries the Latin motto "E-Pluribus Unum," which translates
to "One From Many." Over the eagle's head is a constellation of 13 five-pointed
stars. |
 The
other side depicts a pyramid, a symbol of permanence and strength. The
unfinished pyramid represents striving toward growth. The eye represents
an all-seeing deity and places the spiritual above the material. At the
pyramid's base, 1776 appears in roman numerals. The motto "Annuit Coeptis"
translates to "He [God] Has Favored Our Undertakings." "Novus Ordo Seclorum"
is translated as "A New Order of the Ages" and signifies the beginning
of the New American Era. |
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Historically, Federal Reserve Notes
have appeared with Federal Reserve seals denoting the Reserve Bank that
issued the note. Beginning in 1996 with the new $100 note, however, a
universal Federal Reserve System seal appears. Individual Federal Reserve
Bank seals will be replaced on other notes as they are redesigned. |
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Seals
have been an important element of our currency from Colonial times. They
have appeared on most notes throughout our country's history. The Seal
of the U.S. Treasury is older than the Constitution of the United States.
It was designed in the 1770s, and it has appeared on every piece of paper
money issued by the Department of the Treasury since it began printing
paper money in 1862.
The
other side depicts a pyramid, a symbol of permanence and strength. The
unfinished pyramid represents striving toward growth. The eye represents
an all-seeing deity and places the spiritual above the material. At the
pyramid's base, 1776 appears in roman numerals. The motto "Annuit Coeptis"
translates to "He [God] Has Favored Our Undertakings." "Novus Ordo Seclorum"
is translated as "A New Order of the Ages" and signifies the beginning
of the New American Era. 
