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THEY COULD WRITE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, BUT THEY COULDN'T DESIGN THE DOLLAR

Soon after the Continental Congress had announced the formation of the United States in July 1776, they passed a resolution declaring. "Resolved, that Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. John Adams and Mr. Thomas Jefferson, be a committee, to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America."

Designed by Jose, Sidney Lanier HS

The three founding fathers, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, were unable to come up with a seal. It took two more commissions until they enlisted the aid of William Barton, who had studied the symbols on European armor and family crests, and Secretary of the Congress, Charles Thomas.

	Designed by Marina, Sidney Lanier HS

The design was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 20, 1782, and by the U.S. Congress on Sept. 15, 1789. The seal is what you find on the back of a dollar.

On the right hand side of the dollar is the face of the seal. This side shows an American bald eagle with wings and claws outstretched. Above the eagle's head is a "glory," or burst of light, containing 13 stars, one for each of the original colonies.

Designed by Albessa, Sidney Lanier HS

The right claws hold an olive branch with 13 leaves, representing peace, and the left, a bundle of 13 arrows, symbolizing war; the eagle's head is turned toward the olive branch, symbolizing a desire for peace. The shield with 13 stripes covering the eagle's breast symbolizes a united nation.

	Designed by Serena, Farmersville HS

The top of the shield represents Congress; the head of the eagle, the executive branch; and the nine tail feathers, the Supreme Court. A ribbon held in the eagle's beak bears the Latin motto E Pluribus Unum (13 letters), which means "Out of Many, One."

The back of the Great Seal, on the left-hand side of the bill, depicts a pyramid, a symbol of material strength and endurance. The pyramid is unfinished, symbolizing a striving toward growth and a goal of perfection.

Designed by Rosa, Sidney Lanier HS

Above the pyramid a glory, with an eye inside a triangle, represents the eternal eye of God and places the spiritual above the material. At the top edge is the 13-letter Latin motto Annuit Coeptis, meaning "He Has Favored Our Undertakings."

	Designed by Laura, Sidney Lanier HS

Charles Thomas explained the symbolism in a report to Congress in June 1782, "The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: The Eye over it and the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause." The base of the pyramid bears the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI (1776). Below is the motto Novus Ordo Seclorum, "A New Order of the Ages."

More dollars:

Designed by Zak, Farmersville HS "All money should have images symbolizing peace."	Designed by Cris, Farmersville HS
Designed byAlexandra, Farmersville HS "Images should be important things that make you happy."	Designed by Vanessa, Farmersville HS "Money should have famous people, like inventors. Not just presidents."
Designed by Alma, Farmersville HS "I would make money in different shapes, like circles and triangles."	Designed by Fernando, Farmersville HS "Blue and grey are colors that make money look valuable."
Designed by Molly, Farmersville HS "Money should have bumps so that blind people know how much each bill is worth."	Designed by Renay, Farmersville HS "Nine Inch Nails should be on money because they're BAD! Above all else: avoid being boring."
Designed by Robert, Farmersville HS	Designed by Holly, Farmersville HS

Why the $? The origin of the "$" sign is murky. Many people who study language think that it is the result of the evolution of the Mexican or Spanish "P's" for pesos, or piastres, or pieces of eight. Old manuscripts show that an "S," gradually came to be written over the "P," developing a close equivalent to the"$" mark. It was used before the creation of the United States dollar in 1785.