Redesign of currency

For those who don’t ponder these things, take the following US One Dollar Bills into consideration:

Series 1899 Silver Certificates.
Series 1923 Silver Certificates.

Series 1917 United States Notes.
Series 1923 United States Notes.

Series 1918 Federal Reserve Bank Notes.





These notes were all in circulation at the same time. True. While it was probably not too very likely that a person would be walking around with five dollars in his wallet, one of each type, it very well could have happened. Why? Because the 1899 Silver Certificate wasn’t replaced until 1923. This means that until 1923 the 1899 silver certificate was in use. By default that means that they would have mingled around a bit with each other.

Same thing applies to the United States Notes.

The 1918 FRBN would have been in the mix as well.

That’s a lot of different designs that grandma and grandpa had to deal with. While I’m not certain, I would assume that maybe in Chicago there were more of a certain type issued there than say in Los Angeles, but even if that were so, they would have traveled and people would have had to deal with them.

These are some pretty different designs, and all of them have some elements that evoke the things that we like in (or on) our money. History, Statesmen, Americana Art, Old Timey Scrollwork, etc., that give us the feelings of pride, unity, patriotism, etc., that we all hold dear to ourselves, and which is one reason that people balk at a monetary union. Most Europeans have benefited from the adoption of the Euro and it’s blasé designs and coloring, but at what cost?

Countries lose a strong cultural aspect when they adopt such currency designs. Countries can place national symbolisms on their own currencies which can help a nation to feel patriotic, grow culturally and achieve its own independence from other nations. A country with its own currency can show what is important to them, show their history, and commemorate their own achievements, and show their unique culture. Unified currencies like the Euro, though not unattractive or without it’s design merits, lacks this sense of individuality. The money in Spain is now virtually no different than the money in Greece, which is the same in Germany, etc.

This same loss is bound to be brought about IF a poor design is chosen, such as a design that evokes partisanship or seems to give a particular point of view that isn’t held by most of the citizenry. These design changes and their subsequent loss of identity is readily evident to those of us who are World Currency Collectors, who see many modern issues pouring out that are designed in PhotoShop or some other program, with little effort placed in the design. A modern design CAN be done WITH all the security elements as well. It takes effort and a sense of pride in work, but it is possible. The banknotes in the images above could be rendered on a new banknote, even a polymer, and though they may look dated by modern standards, they would still be easily recognized as US Currency.


So can we have many types of currency? I think we can. History show us that it is possibly here in the USA. But to accept a currency that is poorly designed would be a loss of nationalism that many of us, and not just collectors, would sorely miss.

 

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I should have composed my statement to give due acknowledgment to Our National Banknotes , and all the great and beautiful designs of the past. I just don't want to see Nancy or Ronnie Reagan on our currency. You get the point, I'm sure.

 

Nicely said, Dave.

While there's something to be said for the ability to look at older, and even current US banknotes and envision the engraved plates that created them, I agree that certain well-done modern notes can also show the craftsmanship and artwork that many of us fear will disappear if we change banknote designs.

Dave

 

Indeed. Your notes show what the US government thinks should be shown on your paper money - dead presidents. Ours show architectural elements from European history. And sure, from a collector's point of view it may be attractive if the US had dozens of different, "specifically Californian" or "genuinely Texan", designs. I just don't think that is very practical. Same here in Euroland.

So yes, future US notes will be as uniform, and lacking some individuality, as the current ones. But again, the collector may have a different opinion than the, hmm, user.

Christian

 

I rather like the notes proposed in the link. The themes for each note link up with our history, and touch upon some history lessons as well. I mean, how many of us actually know all the bill of rights? I admit, i didnt until reading the note.

I agree with coleguy as well! I like hand engraved designs too - but i am afraid those days are gone. Not to say the designs couldnt me made to look like they were hand drawn. Photo realistic designs on note to too gimicky imho - not to mention probably too easily copied.

 

Welcome back! :hail:

Dave

 

Thanks Dave M