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Greenbacks. Moolah. Dough. Benjamins. All nicknames for the one thing we’re all in an endless quest to get more of—cash money. It’s as much a part of our everyday lives as is sleep, food, even breathing. But have you ever really stopped to take a look at these little green monsters that seem to run our lives?

If you really take a closer look at our notes of legal tender, there’s really quite a bit going on. So the next time you’re not busy spending one—or if you have absolutely nothing else to do—grab a dollar bill from your wallet and take a good long look at it. After you read this article, you’ll finally know what all those symbols and strange words mean.

First things first, feel the money in your hands. Doesn’t really feel like paper, does it? That’s because it isn’t. Paper money isn’t really paper at all. It’s actually a linen and cotton blend—a cloth! That’s why it doesn’t fall apart when it goes through the washing machine. In fact, there are even tiny red and blue silk fibers running through each bill.

Now, take a good look at the overall design. The dollar bill we use today first was first put into circulation in 1957. The ink used for printing is made of a secret blend—one of many built-in security features used to prevent counterfeiting.

Take a look at the front first, to the right of the portrait you’ll notice a green stamp—the seal of the U.S. Treasury. It includes scales representing a balanced budget, a carpenter’s square signifying an exact cut, and a key to the Treasury itself. On the front, you’ll also notice green serial numbers, the signatures of the U.S. treasurer and secretary of the treasury at the time the bill was printed, and the seal of the mint where the bill was printed.

Now, turn the bill over. You’ll notice a circle on either side. Together, they represent the Great Seal of the United States, created by Benjamin Franklin and a group of our country’s founders in 1782. Go to the left circle first and look at the pyramid. The face is lighted while the western side remains dark. The darkness signifies the Western U.S., which had yet to be explored. The unfinished pyramid represents the untapped potential of the country, while the all-seeing eye hovering above is symbolic of a divine being overseeing mankind. In this circle, you’ll find two Latin phrases, “ANNUIT COEPTIS” (God has favored our undertaking), and “NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM” (A new order has begun).The Roman Numerals at the base of the pyramid translate to 1776.

The circle on the right might look more familiar to you. That’s because it’s prevalent on many national monuments, cemeteries, and—though slightly tailored—is also the Seal of the President of the United States. The centerpiece of the Seal is the Bald Eagle. It was selected as the official symbol of the U.S. for a couple of reasons: Though not afraid to weather a storm if he must, the eagle first looks to fly above it. Also, though it may appear so, the eagle wears no actual crown—symbolic in the country’s break from the King of England. Additionally, the eagle’s shield requires no support; it now can stand by itself.

Other details of note: the white bar on the top of the shield represents the unifying power of congress, the term “E PLURIBUS UNIM” means “one nation from many people”, and the 13 stars signify the 13 original colonies. The eagle holds an olive branch in one set of talons arrows in the other. His gaze, though fixed at the peace-representing olive branch, won’t hesitate to turn to the sling of arrows if need be.

So there you have it; all you ever wanted to know about the design ideas behind our beloved U.S. currency. Use it to enlighten guests at your next dinner party, or inform the guy at the coffee shop as you hand him a five dollar bill for that latte.

Joe Kenny writes for the Personal Loans Store, allowing visitors to compare loans and also focuses on personal loans in the UK.

Visit Today: http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Kenny
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Anatomy-of-a-Dollar-Bill&id=316892

Would it be a wise thing to put away a few crisp new dollar bills for the future? As a face value investment? Would coins be better? Collectible paper currency has been with us since the Revolutionary War. In most families it was usually the coins that were saved, if any money was saved at all, during difficult times.

However, the fact that pristine examples of colonial notes can be found in fine currency collections today suggests that someone had the need, or the foresight, to put away a little cash. And over time, these mere scraps of paper became ever more scarce. Paper money, after all, is not such a durable commodity as coinage.

As living conditions evolved, and the life of the average citizen improved, there came to be time, interest and funds for leisure time activities, hobbies such as coin and stamp collecting, and to a lesser extent, the collecting of paper money.

Today coin collectors refer to paper money enthusiasts as Rag Pickers, and worse. However, many a coin collector eventually gives in to a growing interest in paper as a relevant adjunct to his growing stash of ancient and glowing metal. Both hobbies can be wickedly expensive. Investment in a choice coin or bill can pay off rather well. Or not.

But coins and paper bills still circulate. The final victory of the credit card, and who knows what after that, has yet to be concluded. The point is, even though coins are no longer made of gold and silver, or even solid copper for that matter, all things being equal, a coin will never sink below its face value. And the same can be said for a dollar bill, or a five, ten twenty, fifty, or one hundred dollar bill. (This is not the time to discuss purchasing power. Just let it go.)

So, you get coins and paper money at face value, just by removing it from your pocket or wallet and tossing it into your dresser drawer. Or neatly tuck each into a special collector envelope, holder, or album.

When you do this, you have made a face value investment. Especially if you make the effort to acquire uncirculated specimens at your bank instead of from your pocket, you may end up guilty of a successful investment. Whether collectible coins or collectible paper currency will make the better investment is an open question. If you must choose between the two, here are two things to consider:

There are more coin collectors than paper money collectors.

Demand for coins is perhaps higher overall, but remember, there are more coins in existence. Coins tend to last. Paper money is relatively fragile. Well, so it is. A one dollar bill lasts six months in circulation on average. Then it is destroyed by the government, with the banks as its accomplices.

Do these facts influence the relative value of coins versus paper. If you answer, I need more information, you get an A for the day.

My advice? Make no decision. Just put away some nice new coins and some equally fetching uncirculated (crisp) paper money. Learn how to store each.

Save them for your grandchildren.

In twenty to fifty years they will remember you as a genius.

About The Author:

David W. Baker has collected coins and paper money since age 11 -- so, more than half a century. The present article topic is covered in greater detail on his web site at http://www.valuable-coin-stories.com/collectible-paper-currency.html

Coins have been a pleasant distraction for Dave over the years. During that time he has learned more than a bit about coin value in the marketplace. But, he would be the first to admit that his greatest pleasure with coins has been the hooks they have to history and to other areas of learning. He also says that he can never quite get beyond the feeling that, if any of his coins could talk, the stories would be priceless!

The web site, http://www.valuable-coin-stories.com is an effort on his part to build enthusiasm for coin collecting among those who, like him, may find the exposure to these artifacts of the past a source of genuine enjoyment in the present.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_W._Baker
http://EzineArticles.com/?Collectible-Paper-Currency-as-a-Face-Value-Investment?&id=1018242