Five Dollar- Silver Certificate

Printer Bureau of Engraving and Printing, United States Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C. American

1896

Not on view

The United States first started printing large size notes in the 1860s. Up until 1896 most issues had a fairly similar design structure. The front of each bill had a portrait of a famous American leader and there might have been a vignette or engraving that had something to do with a historical achievement. 1896 silver certificates are very different. They were considered true artwork.There were only three denominations issued for the 1896 series, each with a neoclassical allegorical vignette. The front design of the five dollar bill is of Electrictity, depicted as an angel with wings, who represents the dominant force in the world. She is surrounded by other allegorical figures, one of which is on a chariot with hourses. In the background is the U.S. Capitol dome. On the verso are vignette portraits of Ulysses S. Grant and Sheridan.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Five Dollar- Silver Certificate
Printer: Bureau of Engraving and Printing, United States Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
Date: 1896
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: sheet: 3 x 7 1/8 in. (7.6 x 18.1 cm.)
Classifications: Prints, Ephemera
Credit Line: Gift of Edward D. Adams, 1929
Object Number: 29.67.10
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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