They don't make em like they used to.

September 24, 2010 4:28 PM

Beautiful banknote vignettes which were used in the 19th century by the United States to combat counterfeiters. Brought to you by MeFi's peacay.
posted by gman (9 comments total)

I love the artwork on old money. I think that the artwork on money is changing away from this, with technology and anti-counterfeiting shifting from the need to use such artwork, but I think you'll always be able to see it on US one dollar bill, and can still see it in US passports.

I also like the the symbolic use of ancient Greek and Roman figures (and proto-Greek / Roman figures, like Gallia, Britannia and Columbia) in old bank notes.
posted by jabberjaw at 4:44 PM on September 24, 2010

peacay is pretty effing amazing.
posted by Rumple at 5:05 PM on September 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

On a visit to American Bank Note, this was my favorite stock certificate--it seemed to be the only with 'real' color.
posted by hexatron at 5:34 PM on September 24, 2010

You know, Canadian bills have some nice art on them today. --Mouse over the bill to see the back with the art.

Actually we've had very nice bills for a while.

They also come with nice quotes and poems: I like the $50's "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" and the bit of In Flanders Fields on the back of the $10.
posted by Canageek at 5:54 PM on September 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

Nice! Thanks gman. Dnd peacay that's some fine blogation, some masterful internetery.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:57 PM on September 24, 2010

Truly wonderful visuals, which is typical for any of peacay's BibliOdyssey posts. Thanks gman.
posted by nickyskye at 6:22 PM on September 24, 2010

That blacksmith is all, counterfeit this, motherfuckers.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:25 PM on September 24, 2010

This would be the place to mention Audubon's first engraving. Of a grouse. For a banknote.
posted by wallstreet1929 at 7:23 PM on September 24, 2010

As an amateur numismatist since age 7, it's no surprise to me that they don't make 'em like they used to. It's a shame. US coins used to stunningly beautiful, especially during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Charles E. Barber was an artist of the highest caliber and I adore his work.
posted by WhitenoisE at 7:32 PM on September 24, 2010