The Anatomy of a Dollar BillThe Anatomy of a Dollar Bill

Did You Know?Did You Know? Did you know that you are carrying a history lesson in your pocket or

purse? You will find it on any $1 bill. Look at a dollar and see for yourself. On one side, you will see two circles showing the Great Seal of the United States. For thousands of years, governments have used seals like this one to mark their approval of important documents. Our nation’s founders thought that a national seal was so important that they began work on it the same day they declared independence: July 4, 1776. In 1782, Congress approved the design we see on our currency today.

The Great Seal symbolizes the nation’s principles. For example, the unfinished pyramid on one side of the seal signifies strength and endurance. The bald eagle on the other side is a symbol of the United States. In one claw, the eagle holds an olive branch, a symbol of peace. In the other, the eagle holds arrows to symbolize war. The olive branch and arrows of war show that the United States will pursue peace but will also protect itself. Notice that the eagle faces peace.

Dollar Bill FactsDollar Bill Facts US currency bills are 2.61 inches wide and 6.14 inches US currency bills are 2.61 inches wide and 6.14 inches

long; they are .0043 inches thick and long; they are .0043 inches thick and weigh 1 gram. weigh 1 gram. (All US currency was made smaller in 1928)(All US currency was made smaller in 1928)

All US Bills are cloth, not paper – 25% Cotton, 75% All US Bills are cloth, not paper – 25% Cotton, 75% Linen with red and blue synthetic fibers distributed Linen with red and blue synthetic fibers distributed throughout.throughout.

Currency is printed by the Bureau of Engraving Currency is printed by the Bureau of Engraving and printing. Each bill, regardless of denomination and printing. Each bill, regardless of denomination costs 4.2 cents to make. The BEP prints 16,650,000 $1 costs 4.2 cents to make. The BEP prints 16,650,000 $1 bills each day. bills each day.

The $1 bill has an average lifetime of 18-22 months. The $1 bill has an average lifetime of 18-22 months. Damaged bills are returned to the Fed and shredded. Damaged bills are returned to the Fed and shredded. Last year, the Fed destroyed around $7.5B worth of Last year, the Fed destroyed around $7.5B worth of currencycurrency

Issuing Federal Reserve District 2 = New York City

Seal of Issuing Federal Reserve District B = New York City

Seal of US Treasury

Engraving Plate Identifier and Bill Location Identifier

Signatures of Treasurer and Treasury Secretary

Engraving Plate Serial Number

Serial Number

Design Date

Great Seal of the US

“In God We Trust” added by Eisenhower in 1957

The Great Seal (Front)The Great Seal (Front)

13 leaves in the Olive 13 leaves in the Olive Branch (Right Talon)Branch (Right Talon)

13 arrows in left talon13 arrows in left talon 13 stars overhead13 stars overhead 13 Stripes on Shield 13 Stripes on Shield

(Blue Bar represents (Blue Bar represents congress) congress)

E Pluribus Unum: E Pluribus Unum: ““From Many Comes From Many Comes OneOne””

The Great Seal (Back)The Great Seal (Back) The Pyramid had 13 steps The Pyramid had 13 steps MDCCLXXV1 = 1776MDCCLXXV1 = 1776 The Pyramid is unfinished The Pyramid is unfinished

(the US is an ongoing (the US is an ongoing project)project)

The western face is dark (the The western face is dark (the western US had yet to be western US had yet to be exploredexplored

The deity watches over usThe deity watches over us Annuit Coeptus = Annuit Coeptus = ““God Has God Has

Favored our UndertakingsFavored our Undertakings”” Novus Ordo Seclorum = Novus Ordo Seclorum = ““A A

New Order Has BegunNew Order Has Begun””

The US Dollar and the The US Dollar and the Freemasons?Freemasons?

The EagleThe Eagle’’s left wing has 32 s left wing has 32 feathers (number of degrees feathers (number of degrees in Scottish Rite in Scottish Rite Freemasonry) Freemasonry)

The EagleThe Eagle’’s right wing has s right wing has 33 feathers (there exists a 33 feathers (there exists a 3333rdrd degree mason for degree mason for outstanding service)outstanding service)

9 Tail Feathers (number of 9 Tail Feathers (number of degrees in York Rite degrees in York Rite Freemasonry) Freemasonry)

13 Stars form a five pointed 13 Stars form a five pointed star (A Masonic symbol)star (A Masonic symbol)

The US Dollar and the The US Dollar and the Freemasons?Freemasons?

(Insert your own story here)(Insert your own story here)

The US Dollar as a calendar?The US Dollar as a calendar? The pyramid has 13 steps. The pyramid has 13 steps.

Suppose each step counts Suppose each step counts for 13 years (169 years for 13 years (169 years total)total)

Starting at the base (1776) Starting at the base (1776) the top would represent the top would represent 1945. (Roosevelt died in 1945. (Roosevelt died in 1945)1945)

The The ““GapGap”” represents 1945 represents 1945 – 1974 (resignation of – 1974 (resignation of Nixon) – A period of Nixon) – A period of upheavalupheaval

The The ““CapCap”” contains an contains an additional 2 levels (26 additional 2 levels (26 years) – the Peak is the years) – the Peak is the year 2000.year 2000.

The Owl and the SpiderThe Owl and the Spider

Can you find the owl on the US Dollar?.....look closely!

The Owl and the SpiderThe Owl and the Spider

By the Way, the owl is a Masonic symbol of knowledge! Want a closer look?

The Owl and the SpiderThe Owl and the Spider

Some argue that its not an owl at all….its a spider!

Homework-George WashingtonHomework-George Washington

Why is George Washington on the Dollar Why is George Washington on the Dollar bill? bill?

Research and find three pieces of Research and find three pieces of evidence that supports your claim.evidence that supports your claim.