Educational Series

Last updated
"Educational Series," series of 1896 silver certificates
(United States)
Value$1, $2, $5
Years of printing1896
Estimated valueUS$70 – $38,400
Obverse
Industrial$2.jpg
DesignCloseup of the motif on the $2 note, Science presents Steam and Electricity to Commerce and Manufacture

"Educational Series" refers to a series of three United States silver certificates produced by the U.S. Treasury in 1896, after its Bureau of Engraving and Printing chief Claude M. Johnson ordered a new currency design. The notes depict various allegorical motifs and are considered by some [1] [2] [3] numismatists to be the most beautiful monetary designs ever produced by the United States. [4]

Contents

Design

The term "Educational" is derived from the title of the vignette on the $1 note, History Instructing Youth. [5] Each note includes an allegorical scene on the observe and a pair of portraits on the reverse. Women appear on all three notes. [6]

Denominations of $1, $2, and $5 were produced. Denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1000 were also planned. The $10 and $50 designs were being prepared but were never completed or produced before the series was abandoned and replaced by the series of 1899. [7] [8]

Design and production credits

$1 History Instructing Youth

The front was designed by Will Hicok Low [5] and engraved by Charles Schlecht. [9] The back was designed by Thomas F. Morris [9] . The George Washington vignette was engraved by Alfred Sealey (1867) [10] [11] and the Martha Washington vignette was engraved by Charles Burt (1878). [10] [11]

$2 Science presenting steam and electricity to Commerce and Manufacture

Four artists were commissioned by the BEP to produce key artwork: E. H. Blashfield, Will H. Low, C. S. Reinhart, and Walter Shirlaw. [12] [13] The central vignette was designed by E. H. Blashfield. [14] The central frame and background were designed by Thomas F. Morris. [15] The vignette was engraved by G.F.C. Smillie [14] and the border was engraved by Charles Schlecht. [14] The back was designed by Thomas F. Morris. [15] The Robert Fulton and Samuel F. B. Morse vignettes were engraved by Lorenzo Hatch.

$5 Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World

The central vignette was designed by Walter Shirlaw and engraved by G.F.C. Smillie. [16] The border was designed and engraved by Thomas F. Morris. [17] The back was designed by Lorenzo J. Hatch and Thomas F. Morris [17] and engraved by G.F.C. Smillie. [16] The Ulysses S. Grant and Phillip Sheridan vignettes were engraved by Lorenzo J. Hatch. [17]

Controversy

The naked breasts of the female figures on the $5 silver certificate reportedly caused some minor controversy when several Boston society ladies took offense to the design. Some bankers reportedly refused to accept the notes in transactions, and the term "banned in Boston" allegedly originates from the $5 silver certificate. [18] [19]

Notes

Educational Series
ImageValueDimensionsDescription
Allegorical motifObverseReverse
US-$1-SC-1896-Fr-224-(3923429).jpg $1 Large-sized History Instructing YouthA personification of History instructing a youth, pointing to a panoramic view of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C. The Washington Monument and the Capitol are visible in the background. The United States Constitution is displayed to the right. Circling the motif are the last names of famous Americans. Some of those listed are: (George) Washington, (Benjamin) Franklin, (Thomas) Jefferson, (Robert) Fulton, (Samuel F.B.) Morse, & (Ulysses S.) Grant. Martha Washington, George Washington
US-$2-SC-1896-Fr.247.jpg $2 Science presents Steam and Electricity to Commerce and Manufacture Science (center) presents the two children, Steam and Electricity, to the more mature figures of Commerce (left) and Manufacture (right). Robert Fulton, Samuel F.B. Morse
US-$5-SC-1896-Fr.270.jpg $5 Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World Electricity surrounded by other allegorical figures, representing the dominant force in the world. The United States Capitol building can be seen behind the female figures. Ulysses S. Grant, Philip Sheridan
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States five-dollar bill</span> Current denomination of United States currency

The United States five-dollar bill (US$5) is a denomination of United States currency. The current $5 bill features U.S. president Abraham Lincoln and the Great Seal of the United States on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back. All $5 bills issued today are Federal Reserve Notes. As of December 2018, the average life of a $5 bill in circulation is 4.7 years before it is replaced due to wear. Approximately 6% of all paper currency produced by the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 2009 were $5 bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States ten-dollar bill</span> Current denomination of United States currency

The United States ten-dollar bill (US$10) is a denomination of U.S. currency. The obverse of the bill features the portrait of Alexander Hamilton, who served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, two renditions of the torch of the Statue of Liberty, and the words "We the People" from the original engrossed preamble of the United States Constitution. The reverse features the U.S. Treasury Building. All $10 bills issued today are Federal Reserve Notes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States one-dollar bill</span> Denomination of United States currency

The United States one-dollar bill (US$1), sometimes referred to as a single, has been the lowest value denomination of United States paper currency since the discontinuation of U.S. fractional currency notes in 1876. An image of the first U.S. president (1789–1797), George Washington, based on the Athenaeum Portrait, a 1796 painting by Gilbert Stuart, is currently featured on the obverse, and the Great Seal of the United States is featured on the reverse. The one-dollar bill has the oldest overall design of all U.S. currency currently being produced. The reverse design of the present dollar debuted in 1935, and the obverse in 1963 when it was first issued as a Federal Reserve Note.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver certificate (United States)</span> Paper currency used between 1878 and 1964

Silver certificates are a type of representative money issued between 1878 and 1964 in the United States as part of its circulation of paper currency. They were produced in response to silver agitation by citizens who were angered by the Fourth Coinage Act, which had effectively placed the United States on a gold standard. The certificates were initially redeemable for their face value of silver dollar coins and later in raw silver bullion. Since 1968 they have been redeemable only in Federal Reserve Notes and are thus obsolete, but still valid legal tender at their face value and thus are still an accepted form of currency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold certificate (United States)</span> Certificate of ownership that gold owners held instead of storing the actual gold

Gold certificates were issued by the United States Treasury as a form of representative money from 1865 to 1933. While the United States observed a gold standard, the certificates offered a more convenient way to pay in gold than the use of coins. General public ownership of gold certificates was outlawed in 1933 and since then they have been available only to the Federal Reserve Banks, with book-entry certificates replacing the paper form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confederate States dollar</span> Currency of the Confederate States of America

The Confederate States dollar was first issued just before the outbreak of the American Civil War by the newly formed Confederacy. It was not backed by hard assets, but simply by a promise to pay the bearer after the war, on the prospect of Southern victory and independence. As the Civil War progressed and victory for the South seemed less and less likely, its value declined. After the Confederacy's defeat, its money had no value, and individuals and banks lost large sums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treasury Note (1890–1891)</span> American currency

The Treasury Note was a type of representative money issued by the United States government from 1890 until 1893 under authority of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and $1,000. It was issued in two series: an 1890 series with $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $100 and $1,000 denominations, and an 1891 series that added the $50 denomination. A $500 note was designed but never issued.

In early 18th century Colonial America, engravers began experimenting with copper plates as an alternative medium to wood. Applied to the production of paper currency, copper-plate engraving allowed for greater detail and production during printing. It was the transition to steel engraving that enabled banknote design and printing to rapidly advance in the United States during the 19th century.

A silver certificate is a certificate of ownership that silver owners hold instead of storing the actual silver. Several countries have issued silver certificates, including Cuba, the Netherlands, and the United States. Silver certificates have also been privately issued by various mints and bullion companies. One example was the Liberty Dollar issued by NORFED from 1998 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Hatch</span> American artist

Lorenzo James Hatch was an American artist best known for his work as a portrait engraver in Washington, D.C., and New York. He worked for the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing, private bank note printers, and in China, assisting the government with establishing a government bureau of engraving and printing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States two-dollar bill</span> Current denomination of United States currency

The United States two-dollar bill (US$2) is a current denomination of United States currency. A portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States (1801–1809), is featured on the obverse of the note. The reverse features an engraving of John Trumbull's painting Declaration of Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Eagle Silver Certificate</span> United States one-dollar silver certificate

The Black Eagle is a type of one-dollar silver certificate produced in 1899 in the United States. The note measured 7.38 in (187 mm) by 3.18 in (81 mm); it was of the large-size variety of bank-notes issued by the United States. The note featured a Bald eagle with its wings spread. The note was also referred to as "Eagle of the Capitol", because the United States Capitol is visible behind the eagle. The note was issued from 1899 to 1923 and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) printed 3,604,239,600 Black Eagles. Because of the large size, it is colloquially referred to as a "horseblanket".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Frederick Cumming Smillie</span> American portrait engraver (1854–1924)

George Frederick Cumming Smillie also known as G.F.C. Smillie or Fred Smillie was an engraver for the United States Treasury who engraved portraits for the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) from 1894 to 1922. The nephew of James David Smillie, he engraved the portrait of Running Antelope and the presidents Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Woodrow Wilson, and George Washington. Several of his engravings appeared on banknotes, including the Black Eagle Silver Certificate, the United States one-hundred-thousand-dollar bill, and Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Schlecht</span> American artist and currency engraver

Charles Schlecht (1843-1905) was an engraver at the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He did the engraving for the 1896 Educational Series one-dollar bill: History Instructing Youth.

<i>History Instructing Youth</i> United States one-dollar silver certificate

History Instructing Youth is a series 1896 United States one-dollar bill. It was one of three notes in the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing's (BEP) Educational Series. After many complaints about the notes in the series, the BEP replaced them in 1899. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful and popular US large-size notes. The scene on the note's obverse is allegorical and features a woman who is instructing a young boy about United States history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate</span> United States five-dollar Silver Certificate

The 1899 United States five-dollar Silver Certificate is known as the Indian Chief Note note. The note features Sioux chief Running Antelope wearing an incorrect war bonnet. It is the only US federal paper currency featuring a named Native American.

Alfred Sealey was an engraver for the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He engraved several portraits which were used by the united States Bureau of Engraving and Printing on paper money.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1869 United States five-dollar bill</span> United States five-dollar bill

1869 United States five-dollar bill also known as the Woodchopper Note is a legal tender bank note. It was a large-size US bank note measuring 7.125 in (181.0 mm) x 3.125 in (79.4 mm). The note was issued in five series from 1869 to 1907.

<i>Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World</i> 1896 US one-dollar silver certificate

Electricity as the Dominant Force in the World is an 1896 United States five-dollar silver certificate. It is of the US large-size variety measuring 7.375 in (187.3 mm) by 3.125 in (79.4 mm). The note is one of three notes that are part of the "Educational Series". As a result of the nudity portrayed on the obverse and other controversies, the note was replaced in 1899.

<i>Science presenting steam and electricity to Commerce and Manufacture</i> 1896 US two-dollar silver certificate

Science presenting steam and electricity to Commerce and Manufacture is an 1896 United States two-dollar silver certificate. It is of the large-size variety measuring 7.375 in (187.3 mm) inches by 3.125 in (79.4 mm). It is one of three notes released as the "Educational Series". After complaints about the series, the note was replaced in 1899.

References

  1. Morton, Ella (2015-06-09). "Object of Intrigue: The Most Beautiful Banknote in U.S. History". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  2. "1896 silver certificates were Beautiful Failures". CoinWorld. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  3. Rowan, Lily. "The Most Beautiful Currency Ever Created by The U.S." History Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  4. A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices pg. 27 "It is delightful to that the most beautiful designs, in the opinion of many, are those that were used on the smaller denominations..."
  5. 1 2 "Our New Money". Burlington Gazette. 3 December 1895. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  6. Miller, Zoë (17 October 2018). "How the dollar has changed over the years". Business Insider. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  7. Lee, Peter Y.W. (11 June 2021). "The U.S. Government's Failed Attempt to Forge Unity Through Currency". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  8. Gibbs, William T. (19 December 2015). "1896 silver certificates were Beautiful Failures". CoinWorld. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  9. 1 2 "1 Dollar Silver Certificate Educational Series". en.numista.com. Numista.
  10. 1 2 "The Making of History: Educational Series (Part 1)". pmgnotes. Paper Money Guarantee. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  11. 1 2 Green, Paul M. (28 February 2012). "When the $1 note was silver-backed". Numismatic News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  12. Tome Wilson. "Late Victorian-era money in America". (September 6, 2010).
  13. Melkor-Bradley. "FlyingMoose". (1997).
  14. 1 2 3 Friedberg, Arthur L. (25 June 2016). "Sketch by note artist, muralist Blashfield in auction". CoinWorld. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  15. 1 2 Noe, Rain (29 April 2013). "The Best-Looking-Ever U.S. Money was Designed in the 1890s". Core77. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  16. 1 2 "1896 $5 Silver Certificate". pmgnotes.com. Paper Money Guarantee. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 Friedberg, Arthur; Friedberg, Ira S. (October 2006). Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide with Valuations. Clifton, New Jersey: Coin & Currency Institute. pp. 54–56. ISBN   978-0-87184-518-4 . Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  18. A Guide Book of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices pg. 106 "The uncovered bosoms of certain of the figures in the scene caused several Boston society ladies to rally against the design and some banks to resist taking them - the origin of the term "banned in Boston.""
  19. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (2006-04-05). "American Currency Exhibit: Metal Standards - Showcase of Bills" . Retrieved 2006-10-31.