The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-24
1HE NEW sI,TER CERTIFICAIEs.
Cashier. Say That They Are Inferior to
the Old One. Tor Practical Pnrpose..

Cashier. Say That They Are Inferior to
the Ola Ones Tor Practical Purposes.
The elaborate:y designed new silver certh-
Gates have not won the popular success that was
hoped for by the authorities In Washington.
Tho widespread criticism on account Of tho
ieft-handed Goddess OF Liberty that was directed
against the one dollar certificate when Il first
made Its appearance haslbeen followed by more
serious objections to all the certificates on the
part Of bank cashiers and others whose business
requires them to handle the notes In large
quantities. The first objection is that the differ
ent denominations OF the new certificates are not
nearly so readily distinguished as IN the former
issues. In the matter the five-dollar certificate
this criticism Is serious. The dvc-dollar GER
tiHcate can easily be mistaken for n two-dollar
certificate, and vice versa, unless great care Ia
exercised. There are three Roman VS. on the face
OF this certificate and four figure 5s. One OF tho
latter numerals Is twined In n monogram with
IN the left upper corner. The popular
upper corner. which ought TO be the most con-
spicuous clue to the denomination OF the GER
q black figure. and doesn't at all resemble the
numerals used In the old certificates.
The second objection Is that the great mass OF
engraving on the front and back OF the certin.
Gates. greater than was ever put on any other
bills issued by the Government. adds much to
the difficulty of dcciphorlng the different de-
nominations. The latter Is the most serious
Objection urged ssalnst the new certificates.
lit was an easy matter for ono accustomed to
handling Treasury notes to distinguish one
the note. 4 praoiised eye could spot the de-
nomination instantly. Now, however, II Is tho
easiest thing In the world 70 mistase a two.
fact, have TO keep my eye peeled for that mis-
take, for as . rule. you know. mistakes OF that
" The new Certificates" said the cashier Of q
big bank downtown. ARE an absolute nuisance
u impossible to deciphrr the numerals when
tho certificates get mpled and worn. IL 10 .
constant and boi her.ome strain on the eye and
the Thousands daily"
still another complaint recently urged against
tho new certificates Ii that they are not nearly
80 durable as the former issues, and that they
tear very readily after they have been folded ny
Of Is Ia
so easily removed ns In tho former issues.
An oiiicIsl IN the sub. Treasury was cues s.
| set forth against the new certificates.
THAT the hew certificate. tear more readily
not heard stated before. Every sheet OF GER
tihcate paper is tested at the Bureau OF Engrav-
and S shSns. s
quality Of paper we have not heard Of It here.
believe II 10 the same AS was used before. Gov
erntuent money. you know, Is like every other
product IL Is better for seasoning. 80 To speak;
II should be properly dried or cured. as We call
subjected to heat t. dry II quickly 1t would prob.
ably be brittle anu would tear easier than II
IL were allowed to dry by natural process. The
main trouble with tho new certificates Is that
there Is so much printing on them that they
cannot In the nature OF things. last so long as
the less elaborate notes OF former issues The
mass OF ink catches tho dirt easily and the GER
tihcates become soiled sooner ana wear gu,
more quickly than those that were OF simpler
design. | have not heard OF the complaint OF
the similarity ia general appearance. OF tbs
two-dollar and fre.dollar Ger ihcates; but then
OF course. we have other clues to the dcnomina
| tion OF certificates than the numerals"