U.S. Dollar Symbols
The $ symbol itself is derived from a combination of the P and S for Mexican pesos, Spanish piastres, or pieces of eight. This theory is based on the study of old manuscripts, which show that the $ symbol was widely used before the U.S. started using the dollar in 1785. (Source: Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Currency Notes)
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the enigmatic symbols on the U.S. dollar. In fact, our founding fathers used the symbols to convey strong messages, which have gotten garbled through the years. The dollar bill shows the Great Shield of the United States, which contains:
The American eagle flying free, holding 13 arrows of war in its non-dominant left talon and an olive branch for peace in its dominant right talon.
The banner in its beak reads "E Pluribus Unum" -- Out of Many, One.
The shield's horizontal blue band represents Congress uniting the original 13 colonies, represented by 13 red and white vertical stripes.
Thirteen stars above the eagle represents a new constellation, or nation, in the universe.
Red stands for valor, white stands for purity and blue stands for justice.
On the reverse of the Great Seal stands an unfinished pyramid of 13 rows, symbolizing strength and duration.
The first row reads "1776" in Roman numerals. The banner below reads "Novus Ordo Seclorum" which means "A New Order of the Ages," referring to a new form of government or "the beginning of the new American Era." The all-seeing eye of the Divine, with the phrase "Annuit Coeptis," which means "Providence Has Favored Our Undertakings."
The $ symbol itself is derived from a combination of the P and S for Mexican pesos, Spanish piastres, or pieces of eight. This theory is based on the study of old manuscripts, which show that the $ symbol was widely used before the U.S. started using the dollar in 1785. (Source: Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Currency Notes)
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the enigmatic symbols on the U.S. dollar. In fact, our founding fathers used the symbols to convey strong messages, which have gotten garbled through the years. The dollar bill shows the Great Shield of the United States, which contains:
The American eagle flying free, holding 13 arrows of war in its non-dominant left talon and an olive branch for peace in its dominant right talon.
The banner in its beak reads "E Pluribus Unum" -- Out of Many, One.
The shield's horizontal blue band represents Congress uniting the original 13 colonies, represented by 13 red and white vertical stripes.
Thirteen stars above the eagle represents a new constellation, or nation, in the universe.
Red stands for valor, white stands for purity and blue stands for justice.
On the reverse of the Great Seal stands an unfinished pyramid of 13 rows, symbolizing strength and duration.
The first row reads "1776" in Roman numerals. The banner below reads "Novus Ordo Seclorum" which means "A New Order of the Ages," referring to a new form of government or "the beginning of the new American Era." The all-seeing eye of the Divine, with the phrase "Annuit Coeptis," which means "Providence Has Favored Our Undertakings."
