They don't make em like they used to.
September 24, 2010 4:28 PM   Subscribe

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) 11 users marked this as a favorite
 
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


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