I miss you Sam!!

I miss you Sam!!
I miss you Sam!!

Friday, November 14, 2008

How Much Do You Know About Our Currency?

A friend sent this to me a few days ago and I thought it was very interesting and I learned a lot about the one dollar bill that I hadn't known before -- maybe because these days they don't linger in my hands long enough for me to really look at them.











On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States.



The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.


If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.

Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.


The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means,

'God has favored our undertaking.'

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means,

'a new order has begun.'

At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.


The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. 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 you will read, 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.'

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.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and 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.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number.

This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this:

13 original colonies,

13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,

13 stripes on our flag,

13 steps on the Pyramid,

13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,'

13 letters in 'E PluribusUnum,'

13 stars above the Eagle,

13 bars on that shield,

13 leaves on the olive branch,

13 fruits,

and if you look closely,

13 arrows.

And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of D avid. This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayyim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions ; but died a pauper.

I always ask people, 'Why don't you know this?' Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.

Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the

UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL,

and what it stands for!

9 comments:

Judy said...

Thanks for posting this. It is so interesting and there are so many things I did not know.

Lilly said...

Sylvia - that was really interesting. I guess we never think about currency we just use it every day - enjoyed that post.

storyteller said...

I did know most of this, but it’s always fun to be reminded so I appreciate you sharing. I’ve been discussing financial matters at Sacred Ruminations recently and this could make an entertaining follow up if you don’t mind me passing it along. I’d give you link-love as the source ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

wispy willow said...

This is a truly beautiful post. It pays homage to so many and to so much.

I was unaware of most of what you told us here. I sort of hate to admit that, but, I'm not one of those college degreed retired teachers in our circle of cyber writers.

I'm running a copy of this to send to my son who's a real American History buff and loves anything and everything to do with the formation and upholding of our country... and to his 11 year old son.

I was expecially interested in the information on the Star of David. That's is such a wonderful thing to know.

Thanks for this Sylvia.

Margie's Musings said...

I too learned a lot from your post. Thanks fr posting it.

Kay said...

This is so very interesting Sylvia. Thank you so much! I have wondered what it all meant and now you've told me. The number 13 has always been good luck for our family.

Kate said...

Hi Sylvia, Thanks for posting this one - it's amazing how something which looks so normal and everyday has so much meaning and which is so interesting... Cheers Kate x.

K. said...

I did not know that the back of the dollar bill was connected with the International Jewish Banking Conspiracy. ;)

Richard said...

Thank you for the information you shared on the seals on the back of the dollar bill. I was wondering if you also knew that George Washington, being a Mason, designed masonic symbolism into the seal as well.
If you look at the 13 stars they do form the Star of David. Which also called the Seal of Solomon in reference to the Temple of King Solomon which Masonic tradition tells us is wher the Masonic order started The cloud burst also represents the Star Decked Heavens under which the first Masonic Lodges met.
The tail feathers of the Eagle number 9. Signifying the 9 Degrees of the York Rite of Freemasonry. The left wing has 32 feathers and represents the 32 Degrees of the Scottixh Rite of Freemasonry. The right wing has 33 feathers and signifys the Honorary 33rd Degree of the Scottish rite.
Yes, it is true tha the dollar bill does have Masonic Symbology.

What Can I Say?

What Can I Say?
I'm interested in almost everything. Use to like to travel, but it's too expensive now. I take Tai Chi classes, swim, volunteer in a Jump-start program for pre-schoolers. I'm an avid reader and like nearly everyone these days I follow politics avidly. I'm a former teacher and Special Projects Coordinator for a Telecommunications company, Assistant to the President of a Japanese silicon wafer manufacturing company. Am now enjoying retirement -- most of the time. I have two daughters, one son-in-law and two sons scattered all over the country. No grandchildren.

Portland Time