The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-21
NEW PAPER MONEY.
All Bills of One Denomination to Be
of Uniform Appearance.

of Uniform Appearance.
New York, Nov. PA dispatch to the
Press from Washington says:
Secretary OF the Treasury Gage long
ago decided to have bills of the same de-
nomination look alike. That is, he
wished the five dollar silver certificate,
the five dollar United States note ana
the five dollar Sherman treasury note
to bear close resemblance to each oth>
er.
The first Of the designs under the new
system is for the one dollar silver certi-
dcate- The notes will soon be out
Clearness, simplicity and protection
against cOunterfeiting have been the re-
suits chiefly aimed at. The new de-
sign is somewhat less artistic than some
of the present silver certificates, bul
probably will be more popular among
those who handle money.
The central device on the face of the
note is an American eagle with wings
partly spread, clutching the flag, ana
with the dome of the capitol in the
background. Below the platform upon
which the eagle stands are small pOr~
traits of Lincoln and Grant set in me-
dalliOns. Large and clear figures are
in each corner Of the note and on the
sides. The space between the central
device and the lathe work at the ends
Is clear white paper, except for the inn
print of the seal in one space and the
denomination of the note in the other.
be in blue and the figures in the omen
space will be in the same ink. The
mechanical Work ana the technical mn
1Sh OF the engraN1ngS are superior to
anything ever before issued from the
bureau of engraving and printing. The
reverse side of the note corresponds to
the face in respect to the large display
of white paper without printing or lathe
work. Large plain figures appear in
each corner and scrolls make up an at,
tractive border, but the only remain,
ing space upon which printing appears
is in the center, where the usual Ian,
guage regarding the qualities of the
note as a tender for all public debts is
set forth.
The object of a clear display of white
paper on both sides of the note is to
afford safeguard against counter
feiting. 1t has been found by experts
that it is easier to detect the use of pa
where it is not covered with printing.
The device for the silver certificates is
substantially the same as that which
will be used for other forms of paper
money.
The difference between a silver certif-
tcate, a United States note and a Sher-
man treasury note of any denOmina-
ton viii be indicated by the wording
and by the color of the seal. The latter
distinction viii serve the purposes of
bank clerks who have to separate the
notes by classes. The ordinary citizen
who cares only for the denomination of
the note and not especially for the law
under which it is issued, will find here
after that he has to deal with only five
from 81 to $50. where he formerly had to
deal with 10 different forms if he han
died silver certificates United States
notes and Sherman notes.
The advantage of this unidcatiOn of
the currency will be great in the case of
persons handling money in large
amounts, in the case of persons of de-
fective vision and in the case of those
who cannot read and write and rely on
the general appearance of a note to de-
termine its denomination. The latter
class will hereafter be able to identify
a 81 note by the devices, whether it is
issued under the legal tender act the
Sherman law or the Bland law
The designs for the higher denOmina-
lions of notes are IN the course of pre-
paration at the bureau of engraving
and printing. Secretary Gage. Assist
ant Secretary Nanderlip and Treasurer
Roberts have examined and approved
all the new designs and are much pleas
ed with the success of Chief johnson, of
the bureau of engraving and printing
In adapting them to the purposes of a
convenient instrument of circulation.