Introduction
Have you ever taken a closer look at the US currency in your wallet or purse? If so, you might have noticed that each bill features a portrait of a US president. But who are these presidents, and why were they chosen to be depicted on our currency? In this article, we will explore the historical and social significance of US currency, including the biographical information of each president featured on a bill, reasons for their selection, analysis of design evolution, and controversies surrounding US currency.
Historical Significance of Having US Presidents Depicted on Bills
US currency featuring portraits of presidents has been a long-standing tradition in the United States. In fact, the use of president’s images on currency dates back to 1861 when the US government introduced a new series of bills that had portraits of famous Americans. Since then, US currency has continued to feature images of presidents as a way to honor and recognize their contributions to the country.
Over time, the designs and denominations of bills have changed. For example, the two dollar bill was first introduced in 1862, but it was discontinued in 1966 and only reintroduced in 1976 as part of the bicentennial celebration of the US independence. In addition, changes have been made to the way bills are designed to make them more secure against counterfeiting. Despite these changes, the tradition of featuring US presidents on currency has remained.
The US government’s decision to feature the image of particular presidents on currency has been based on specific criteria. For instance, some of the earliest bills featured founding fathers of the country such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Later, more prominent presidents such as Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson were added to currency. In general, US presidents who made significant contributions to the country or played a role in shaping US history have been selected for inclusion on bills.
Brief Biographies of Each US President Featured on US Currency
Below is a brief summary of the biographical information of each president featured on US currency:
George Washington (One dollar bill)
George Washington was the first president of the United States and served from 1789 to 1797. He played a crucial role in leading the Continental Army during the American Revolution and was instrumental in the formation of the US Constitution. Washington’s leadership during this period made him an iconic figure in US history and earned him a place on the one dollar bill.
Thomas Jefferson (Two dollar bill)
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States and served from 1801 to 1809. He is best known for drafting the Declaration of Independence, which announced the US’s separation from Great Britain. Jefferson played a significant role in helping to shape the country in its early years and earned his place on the two dollar bill.
Abraham Lincoln (Five dollar bill)
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and served from 1861-1865. He is best known for leading the country through the Civil War, successfully preserving the Union and ending slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln is considered one of the greatest presidents in American history, and his contribution to the country earned him a place on the five dollar bill.
Alexander Hamilton (Ten dollar bill)
Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of the United States and a vital contributor to the country’s financial system. He served as the first US Secretary of the Treasury and was instrumental in creating the country’s banking system. Hamilton’s contributions to the country’s economy were significant, and he earned his place on the ten dollar bill.
Andrew Jackson (Twenty dollar bill)
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and served from 1829 to 1837. He was a controversial figure in US history, known for leading the US military in battles against Native American tribes and for his policies towards African Americans. Despite this, Jackson is considered a significant figure in US history and earned his place on the twenty dollar bill.
Ulysses S. Grant (Fifty dollar bill)
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th president of the United States and served from 1869 to 1877. He played a crucial role in leading the Union army during the Civil War and was instrumental in securing the Union’s victory. Grant’s contribution to the country during this period earned him a place on the fifty dollar bill.
Benjamin Franklin (One hundred dollar bill)
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States and a polymath who excelled in many fields, including engineering, science, and diplomacy. His contributions to the country were vast, including serving as a representative to Great Britain and France, helping to draft the US Constitution, and discovering electricity. Franklin’s significance to the country and his notable achievements earned him a place on the one hundred dollar bill.
Reasons for Why the Selection of US Presidents Chosen for Bills Were Chosen
The selection of US presidents for particular bills has historically been based on specific criteria. For instance, certain bills featuring founding fathers like Washington and Jefferson were meant to honor patriotic ideals, while denominations featuring more recent presidents like Lincoln and Franklin were intended to commemorate their contributions to the country’s progress. In particular, the use of Andrew Jackson on the twenty-dollar bill has been controversial, given his role in supporting policies that harmed Native Americans and African Americans.
The US Department of Treasury has been responsible for the selection of particular presidents to feature on currency. The selection is based on written criteria that include a significant contribution to the country, enduring significance, and broad recognition. Additionally, recent changes have included the consideration of regional and gender diversity, such as the announcement in 2016 that Harriet Tubman, a woman and former slave who advocated for abolition and women’s rights, would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. However, this change has yet to be implemented.
Analysis of How US Currency Design Has Evolved Over Time
US currency design has undergone significant changes and evolution over time. Early bills featured intricate designs with classic American symbolism, while modern bills have incorporated security features, intricate designs and color patterns that make it more difficult to counterfeit. The most significant modern changes include the addition of watermarks, microprinting, and color-shifting ink on $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills.
Designs for bills have evolved due to artistic and practical reasons. For example, the recent redesign of the $100 dollar bill, it incorporates new design elements to portray American symbolism and technological advancements. Moreover, US bills have not only incorporated government official symbols, but also images depicting American cultural heritage. The final design of new currency bills is reviewed by the Secretary of Treasury, and the final approval is made by the Secretary of State before the design can go into production.
The Controversy Surrounding US Currency and Proposals for New Designs or Faces Featured
Recent discussions have been made about the controversy surrounding US currency. One main controversy behind the currency is the lack of diversity in the faces that are featured on bills. The current US bills have portrayed five white men and one white woman. This has led to many people calling for a more diverse group of people to be featured on bills. Some advocates have pushed to put notable African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and women like Harriet Tubman on currency.
There has also recently been some controversy surrounding currency redesigns. A redesign of the ten-dollar bill was announced in 2016 replacing the image of Alexander Hamilton with that of Harriet Tubman. However, due to the recent election, the decision was delayed and may not come to fruition. Likewise, discussions have been made by Congress to change the design on the twenty-dollar bill, replacing the image of Andrew Jackson with that of Harriet Tubman.
Conclusion
The US currency has a rich history and plays a vital role in American society. Bills featuring portraits of US presidents honor the contributions of these leaders to the country. Through this article, we have explored the historical and social significance of US currency, including biographical information of each president featured on a bill, reasons for their selection, analysis of design evolution, and controversies surrounding US currency. We hope you have learned something new, and we encourage you to learn more about these historical and social issues surrounding US currency.