the one dollar bill

In its present design the one dollar bill came off the presses for the first time during the year1957.  32 one dollar bills are printed each time the plate comes down.  

Before Roosevelt introduced the 1935 series our one dollar bills were worth money because they were backed up three ways: by gold, by silver and by copper.  Today our one dollar bills are backed up only by accident.  -- Lin Stone

Until recently our American dollar bills were known as PAPER MONEY.  Have you ever laundered your money on an accident and noticed it did not come to pieces like paper would? 

Almost any kind of paper you can buy gets wet and soggy in a sudden storm.  Dollar bills may get wet too, but they don't get soggy.  That's because dollar bills are a cotton and linen blend, with minute silk fibers of red, white and blue  weaved through it.  Ironing will straighten them right out.  Maybe we should call our dollar bills Canvas Backs?  That would be especially appropriate since they fly away so quickly.

We'll see you again in the next frame down.

On The Front

A special blend of ink is used in the printing, the contents of which are known only to our enemies.  Next, the one dollar bills are overprinted with symbols.  After the final printing they are starched to make them water resistant and pressed to give them that snappy, crisp look we all love.

If you look on the front of the bill, on the right hand side, pasted below the superimposed word "ONE" you will see the United States Treasury Seal. At the top in the center you will see the scales -- the symbol for a national desire for a balanced budget and for justice. Just below the scales there is a chevron with thirteen stars.  Underneath the chevron, and still inside the Seal, is a key, symbol of the authority of the United States and its Treasury.

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Have you ever wondered
 WHY you are going broke? 

In 1834
20 dollars would buy an ounce of gold.  By the end of the Civil War it took 40 --  And you had to walk a ways to find a bank that would honor your patriotic request.

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Directly beneath the seal is the signature of the Secretary of the United States Treasury.  Just to the left of his (or her) signature is the series year -- 2001, 1957, etc.

On the left hand side of the bill, on the bottom, is the signature of the Treasurer of the United States, who oversees the U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

George Washington, Father of His Country, has his picture in the center of the previous dollar bill.  He was the First President of our Republic.  First in War, and First in Peace, so isn't it only fitting that he should have his picture decorating the One Dollar Bill as if it could protect the value of the dollar?

There are two big 1s in both upper corners.  There are two smaller 1s in both lower corners.  The two big numbers on top are enclosed in different settings.  The two smaller numbers on bottom are enclosed in the same setting.

Directly below the big number 1 on the upper top of the one dollar bill is a large letter, and a small number.  The letter indicates which row the bill you are looking at was taken from. 
The number beside the letter indicates the position of the bill on that row. 

Just above the small one on the right hand side of the one dollar bill is a very small number and letter combination which tells exactly which specific plate was used to print this particular bill.

Now we reintroduce the Seal so that you can go directly across George's picture to the Bank seal on the left hand side in the same position.  You will notice it has a LARGE letter in the center of the seal.  These letters identify the bank that issued the bill.  The letter K, for example, indicates that the Federal Reserve Bank in  DALLAS Texas issued the bill.  The Letter J identifies the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City Missouri.  If the letter B is there the bill was issued in New York.  The letter D indicates the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland Ohio.  The letter H indicates the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis Missouri.  E indicates the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond Virginia, etc..

Now we are ready to look at the SERIAL NUMBERS.  There is one in the lower left hand portion of the one dollar bill, and a matching number in the upper right hand portion.  The letter which precedes the numbers must be the same number that you saw identifying the Federal Reserve Bank.  J for J.  B for B, and D for D. 

Interestingly enough, if you read off the serial number and give a DIFFERENT first letter than the one actually on the bill, the Treasury Department can tell instantly that you have made a mistake, or that you have a counterfeit bill in your hands.  In the upper left hand corner -- beside the ROW identifier I mentioned previously, you will find a NUMBER.  It is rather inconspicuous unless you are looking for it.  This number is yet another identifier of the issuing bank.  The number "2" (for example) must match the letter B in the issuing bank's seal.  The same number will be found similarly in close proximity to each of the number 1s in each of the four corners of the one dollar bill. 

The letter which trails after the numerals in serial number reveals how many times the exact same serial number has run.  The letter A identifies it as the first run, and the letter Z identifies it as the 26th run with 32 bills printed on each run.  Consequently, there can only be 832 bills printed with the same numbers.

What Great Symbols
are hidden on the other side
of the American Green Back?

When you turn the bill over, you will first notice that the Supreme Court has not forced the removal of "IN GOD WE TRUST" from this currency yet. 

Then you will notice two large circles, one on each side with the word ONE in the center. Together, both circles comprise an image of both halves of the Great Seal of the United States.

The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men (including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams) come up with a Seal. It took four years and two more committees to accomplish this task and yet another two years to get it approved. It wasn't until June 13, 1782 that Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress, made the final submission.  He incorporated elements from all three committees. 

A revolutionary American creation, the Great Seal is a unique combination of natural elements (eagle, olive branch, stars, cloud, light rays, eye) and universal symbols (pyramid, arrows, shield). 

The story of how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided to put both sides of the Great Seal on the back of the one-dollar bill is recorded in a letter from then Secretary of Agriculture (and later Vice President) Henry A. Wallace.

If you look at the left-hand circle of the Great Seal, you will see a pyramid. This pyramid was not a part of the proposals for the Great Seal until the third committee, and it was NOT suggested by either Jefferson, Franklin, or Adams.  Charles Thompson said the pyramid represented "Strength and Duration."  Furthermore, Francis Hopkinson, a literary man of letters, is credited with being the first to use the pyramid on American money.

Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark.

Although there is no "official" explanation for the shading, some have chosen to interpret this as a reflection that our country was just beginning. We had not even begun to explore the West.  Indeed, only a scant few years before this, Virginia's official state boundaries had extended from the Atlantic ocean all the way to the Pacific ocean.  Nor had America decided what we could do for Western Civilization.

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The Pyramid is un-capped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished in the building of our Republic.

Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, said to be an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Ben Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. His committee wanted the seal to include some symbol of divine providence and he discussed a variety of themes -- including the Children of Israel in the Wilderness.  Then again, wise old Ben also wanted the wild turkey (unique to America) to be the overall symbol of the United States, not the eagle.

Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Continental Congress wanted a symbol that soared. The American Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol with the power to bridge heaven and earth in victory: The eagle is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.

The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, is supposed to mean: "God has favored our undertaking."

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order for the ages."  Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to change the meaning slightly to "a new order has begun," wanting to connect that inscription with the building of a "New Deal".

At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numerals symbol for 1776.

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will notice that it is reproduced on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and it is the centerpiece of most monuments for heroes. Only slightly modified, it is recognizable as the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever s/he speaks.

Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying Congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak is a ribbon on which you will read the words: "E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning, "Out of many, one".

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.  These symbols are taken from the American flag and officially, the red represents hardiness and valor, the white represents purity and innocence, and the blue, vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

It is important to notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. In one he holds an olive branch and the other holds arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

Have you ever heard that the number 13 is an unlucky number?
This is almost a worldwide belief. It is so strong you will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor.

But think about the thirteens we have associated with our country:

  1. 13 original colonies,
  2. 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,
  3. 13 stripes on our flag,
  4. The final version of the Great Seal was submitted on the thirteenth of June
  5. There are 13 steps on the Pyramid,
  6. 13 letters in the Latin above,
  7. 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum",
  8. 13 stars above the Eagle,
  9. 13 bars on that shield,
  10. 13 leaves on the olive branch,
  11. 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows.
  12. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

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Now before you go, take a look at that dollar bill in your pocket one more time.  Wouldn't you like to know WHERE your personal old George bill has been, and where he is going?  Well, click HERE and just maybe you can learn George's secrets, where he's been, and how long it took for him to build a nest in your zip code. 

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There are many magic tricks that involve a one dollar bill.  You Can Make paper clips leap off your dollar bill.  This staple magic trick is where twin paper clips are attached to a dollar bill.  The clips will first link together and then leap from the bill -- like magic.  Your audience will be astounded.

All you will need is a dollar bill and two paper clips. Curve the bill into an ‘S’ shape. Place the paper clips over the top of the ‘S’ to close it. You place one paper clip over the top loop of the ‘S’ and the other closing the bottom loop of the ‘S’. Now slowly pull the ends of the bill. This will make the clips slide towards the center of the bill, when they meet they will link up and jump off the bill!

Stretch Your Dollar
The dollar is not what it used to be!  Find ways to make your dollar go farther with money saving coupon codes.
Use them when you shop for groceries or when you shop for gifts!

 

The Masons Are Coming!

Are some of these hidden symbols on the one dollar bill really (gasp) Mason symbols?
The real answer to that question is NO. But, rephrase the question SLIGHTLY and the real answer will be YES!
George Washington was a Mason. Benjamin Franklin was a Mason. The Sons of Liberty had a nucleus of Masons, but that soon ran out as new members joined and the Masons became badly out numbered.

Why were there so many Masons involved in the Revolutionary War? Because one of the most important premises of Masonry was FREEDOM. You talk freedom and people that favor freedom might well be tempted to join. Those with greater intelligence (in any free organization) will rise to the top – provided they espouse the aspirations of the organization.

Masons, in the beginning of our country, were for generating more freedom, more intelligence, and more stability within the community. It is only natural that both Franklin and Washington would be attracted to an organization that offered opportunities to discuss these principles in safety.

Being a Mason back then held great doors of opportunity open for discussion of scientific advancement.  When Franklin laid his kite down he had only to write to some of his Mason friends in France and England to have his findings discussed among Masonic Lodge members, many of whom were influential in scientific spheres. Before long, Franklin was famous.

When Franklin was sent to France as part of the Diplomatic Corps of the evil and illegal American Rebellion that insisted kings could be defied, he did not land in Paris, but much to the south. Franklin knew that if one would be seen as great then one must be properly announced. Franklin wanted to insure he would be favorably announced in Paris, rather than to receive ACCIDENTAL press reviews by uninformed reporters and rumor mongers.

Therefore, he began sending missives directly to his Masonic friends only incidentally influential in the French Court circles. This gave the Court time to formulate a welcome for this American Ambassador that would be separate from his official persona and therefore would not break the French King's treaty with Britain and start a war.

As part of the Colonial Ambassador Corps of illegal revolutionaries Franklin was no more effective than the other members had been and continued to be. But, with a scientific reputation jazzed up and built up for him in the circle of influential Court Circle members, DOCTOR Franklin was able to move through massive doors and talk freely behind closed doors with important figures. Secret shipments of Money, cannon, rifles and ammunition were soon being routed through secret routes to the American shoreline where competent, professional smugglers could assimilate these precious commodities into use by the Colonial Cause.

Therefore, Yes. BECAUSE Americans who were Masons used that affiliation to further the cause of freedom, Masons were there in the building of America, in force.

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