U.S. Currency Study Ideas

By contributing writer Marci

Have you ever looked at your money? I mean have you REALLY looked at what is on those pieces of paper and metal discs? All those designs, letters, numbers, and symbols have meanings. In this U.S. currency study, you’ll see that money is basically a civics lesson in your wallet!

Dollar Bills

Look at the dollar bill. It is full of images and symbolism. You might want to grab a magnifying glass so you can see all the details.

The front side of the bill has the first president of the United States, George Washington, right in the center. To the right of Washington is the United States Treasury Seal. The seal shows balancing scales representing justice and a chevron with 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies. Under the chevron is a key to represent a symbol of authority.

On the reverse side of the dollar bill, there are two large circles representing the Great Seal of the United States. This seal was designed by the founding fathers to symbolize the United States.

The circle on the left side of the dollar bill contains a large pyramid composed of 13 rows of building blocks. Roman numerals representing 1776 are printed on the first row of the pyramid. The pyramid in uncapped to symbolize strength and duration. The capstone of the pyramid is floating above the pyramid and contains an eye. This eye symbolizes divine providence.

The Latin phrase “Novus Ordo Seclorum” is found under the pyramid. It translates to “A New Order of the Ages” referring to the new form of American government that the founding fathers created. The Latin phrase Annuit Coeptis arches over the pyramid and means “God has favored our undertaking.”

One of our nation’s great symbols, the bald eagle, is found inside the circle on the right side of the dollar bill. The eagle is holding 13 arrows in its left talon, signifying war, and an olive branch in its right talon, signifying peace.

On the eagle’s breast is a shield. The shield consists of red and white stripes with a blue bar above it representing Congress. There is a ribbon in the eagle’s beak with the words “E Pluribus Unum”, meaning “one nation from many people.”

Above the eagle’s head are 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies.

Pennies

Now let’s look at a penny.

On the front of the penny, you can see a picture of our 16^th president, Abraham Lincoln. Across the top of this side of the penny are the words of our national motto, “In God We Trust.” This motto has appeared on all American currency since 1955.

The reverse side of the penny has undergone some changes in the past few years. On coins made from 1959 to 2008, you can see an image of the Lincoln Memorial and the Latin words “E Pluribus Unum” on the reverse side of the penny.

Pennies created in 2009 depicted one of four different scenes from Lincoln’s life on the reverse side of the coins in observance of the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.

All pennies since 2010 have featured the Lincoln Union Shield meant to symbolize Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single, united country.

Look at other bills and coins. Notice the symbols, images, and words they contain. Are they the same or different from the dollar bill and the penny? Create a chart or venn diagram to show these similarities and differences.
Find out what those different symbols and words mean.
Let your kids create their own family currency. Let them think about how to symbolize what your family stands for. They could include pictures, images of favorite family activities, and/or words or phrases.

U.S. Currency Study Ideas

Dollar Bills

Pennies