Education in Banknote Design

During the American Civil War, banknote design became part of the war effort.

The new National Bank Notes created in 1863, during the middle of the war, were intentionally filled with patriotic messages and images meant to stress the common history of all Americans.

The $100 note, shown, references a battle from the War of 1812 and shows a vignette of Liberty proclaiming the need to maintain the Union. The back shows the Declaration of Independence.

Such historical education via images was necessary, in part, because the US at the time contained many non-English speaking immigrants and many citizens were only semi-literate. Banknote designs were meant to inform and create conversations among users who would study the notes and teach each other. Such discussions would also help unite the nation.

Modern banknote designs continue to pick up the underlying themes initiated in these National Bank Notes.