Educational Series

"Educational Series," series of 1896 silver certificates
(United States)
Value$1, $2, $5
Years of printing1896
Estimated valueUS$70 – $38,400
Obverse
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]

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
Image Value Dimensions Description
Allegorical motif Obverse Reverse
$1 $1 Large-sized History Instructing Youth A 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
$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
$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

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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "1 Dollar Silver Certificate Educational Series". en.numista.com. Numista.
  10. ^ a b "The Making of History: Educational Series (Part 1)". pmgnotes. Paper Money Guarantee. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  11. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c Friedberg, Arthur L. (25 June 2016). "Sketch by note artist, muralist Blashfield in auction". CoinWorld. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  15. ^ a b Noe, Rain (29 April 2013). "The Best-Looking-Ever U.S. Money was Designed in the 1890s". Core77. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b "1896 $5 Silver Certificate". pmgnotes.com. Paper Money Guarantee. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  17. ^ a b c 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.
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