Changes in US paper currency

[samira_catlover]

Didn't find anything applicable on a search for Tubman: mods, please merge if needed and tyvm.

I haven't seen a $2USD bill for probably twenty years---but HATED them in the 1970s, when I was cashiering.

The US has specialized 25-cent pieces for the presidents and also for the states.  Can anybody with major chops in coin/money collecting (not spending: I'm already expert at that) please advise why the US can't make up a Tubman $20 bill and also keep the Jackson $20?  How about maybe an Eleanor Roosevelt $5, to keep the Lincoln $5 company?

[tehfanglyfish]

Eh, I would argue that the only reason to keep AJ on the $20 is out of spite since the douchecanoe hated paper money and central banks. Apart from the whole ignoring the Supreme Court, forced Indian removal aspects of his presidency (and the fact that he liked owned people), home skillet let his personal hatred of the central bank at the time and its head (Nicholas Biddle) override logic and reason. He broke the fucking economy for like a decade because of poor financial planning (see the Bank War & the Panic of 1837). Some folks sing his praises for eliminating the national debt in 1835 but he was only able to do so by selling off federal land (which had been stolen from its original inhabitants). So to keep him on the $20, I feel the bills would need an update with statement along the lines of  "Ha, ha, Jackson... spend eternity on the paper money you hated, issued by a central bank stronger than what you could've imagined ... fuck you!"

As a historian, my heart breaks not for AJ being taken off the currency. I might feel a bit strongly about this matter... just a bit

[ALM7]

On 4/22/2016 at 11:33 AM, samira_catlover said:

The US has specialized 25-cent pieces for the presidents and also for the states.  Can anybody with major chops in coin/money collecting (not spending: I'm already expert at that) please advise why the US can't make up a Tubman $20 bill and also keep the Jackson $20?

@samira_catlover, I agree, why make them "share" a bill. The way I understand it, Ms. Tubman will replace his image on the front, and Jackson will be incorporated on the back-side. As @tehfanglyfish pointed out, the history of Jackson is very questionable.  Why on earth would Ms. Tubman have to share a bill with him.

[Mercer]

I think Harriet Tubman is an excellent choice.

[Geechee Girl]

Andrew Genocide Jackson can exit stage left. My Granny wouldn't use $20 bill as her way of protest. 

[laPapessaGiovanna]

On 23/4/2016 at 9:48 PM, Mercer said:

I think Harriet Tubman is an excellent choice.

I had never heard of her before. I read some articles about her life and I am amazed at the determination and the strength of this woman, morally she was a giant. She accomplished a lot not only actually saving lives but also being an inspiration for change through the example she modeled with her actions. I'd like to know more, do you have links or other sources to recommend? 

I also read that not everyone agrees with this choice. Some say that she fought hard to free people who were bought and sold with money, why put her on money? Maybe they are a bit exaggerating. That we know of did she ever express political preferences or comments about economical theories or policies?

[FloraKitty35]

On 4/22/2016 at 0:33 PM, samira_catlover said:

Didn't find anything applicable on a search for Tubman: mods, please merge if needed and tyvm.

I haven't seen a $2USD bill for probably twenty years---but HATED them in the 1970s, when I was cashiering.

The US has specialized 25-cent pieces for the presidents and also for the states.  Can anybody with major chops in coin/money collecting (not spending: I'm already expert at that) please advise why the US can't make up a Tubman $20 bill and also keep the Jackson $20?  How about maybe an Eleanor Roosevelt $5, to keep the Lincoln $5 company?

You can still get $2 bills at certain banks, my parents always gave them as gifts to their grandchildren for their 2,4,6,& 8th birthdays.  Also, you can get them at Monticello.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mercer]

32 minutes ago, laPapessaGiovanna said:

I'd like to know more, do you have links or other sources to recommend? 

I learned about her in school, so not really, but if I come across anything I'll be sure to post it.  

[CyborgKin]

xkcd got you covered http://xkcd.com/1672/

Alt-text: "I get that there are security reasons for the schedule, but this is like the ONE problem we have where the right answer is both easy and straightforward. If we can't figure it out, maybe we should just give up and just replace all the portraits on the bills with that weird pyramid eye thing."

 

Best comment: "While we're at it, why not modify the $100 bill with the following text:

For use by drug dealers and the CIA Bribe Team only"

[samurai_sarah]

1 hour ago, laPapessaGiovanna said:

I had never heard of her before. I read some articles about her life and I am amazed at the determination and the strength of this woman, morally she was a giant. She accomplished a lot not only actually saving lives but also being an inspiration for change through the example she modeled with her actions. I'd like to know more, do you have links or other sources to recommend? 

I also read that not everyone agrees with this choice. Some say that she fought hard to free people who were bought and sold with money, why put her on money? Maybe they are a bit exaggerating. That we know of did she ever express political preferences or comments about economical theories or policies?

I, personally, on the other hand, had never heard of Andrew Jackson before. So I guess we cancel each other out in the all-important opinion poll on US currency in Europe?

On a serious note, back in the old days- before the Euro- I loved when Germany put Clara Schumann on the 100 DM notes. I had no idea who she was. Neither my parents, nor my teachers could sufficiently answer why she was important enough to be on a note, so I did my own research. It led me down a fascinating rabbit hole of history.

If it does the same thing for one other child, then I'm personally all in favour.

[FloraKitty35]

1 hour ago, laPapessaGiovanna said:

I had never heard of her before. I read some articles about her life and I am amazed at the determination and the strength of this woman, morally she was a giant. She accomplished a lot not only actually saving lives but also being an inspiration for change through the example she modeled with her actions. I'd like to know more, do you have links or other sources to recommend? 

I also read that not everyone agrees with this choice. Some say that she fought hard to free people who were bought and sold with money, why put her on money? Maybe they are a bit exaggerating. That we know of did she ever express political preferences or comments about economical theories or policies?

Here are some links about Harriet Tubman.  There is a museum dedicated to her in the county Dorchester County, MD  and here in Delaware we have a road called the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad byway. A portion of it is 10 minutes from my house:

http://visitdorchester.org/harriet-tubman-museum-educational-center/

http://www.visitdelaware.com/listings/harriet-tubman-underground-railroad-byway/2033/

[WhatWouldJohnCrichtonDo?]

I'm happy with the choice of Harriet Tubman, but I wish we could work part of Sojourner Truth's famous speech into something people see every day. Even a partial quote is way too long to work for currency. 

Quote:

"That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?"

Full text here.

(Born in New York circa 1797, Sojourner Truth was the self-given name, from 1843 onward, of Isabella Baumfree, an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826.)

 

[Imagine20]

I love Harriet Turman being on the $20. It's a great way to honor the lives of those who changed history and also serves as a daily reminder of the not so great parts of our nation's history.  

I think a Native American should also be on paper currency. I would nominate Sitting Bull. He is respected by both the descendants of those he fought with as well as the descendants of those he fought against. All too often the continuing struggle for Native Americans gets lost. 

[laPapessaGiovanna]

Thank you all for all the info!

I love reading and getting to know historical events and characters whose action was important to shape history but that don't get much mention in mass culture due to convenience/interpretation/revisionism/trends/whatever. I think it's important to upkeep their memory to always remind that history is never straightforward but complex and multifaceted. And it was the complexity of our past that leads to the complexities of our present. 

[louisa05]

16 hours ago, samurai_sarah said:

I, personally, on the other hand, had never heard of Andrew Jackson before. So I guess we cancel each other out in the all-important opinion poll on US currency in Europe?

On a serious note, back in the old days- before the Euro- I loved when Germany put Clara Schumann on the 100 DM notes. I had no idea who she was. Neither my parents, nor my teachers could sufficiently answer why she was important enough to be on a note, so I did my own research. It led me down a fascinating rabbit hole of history.

If it does the same thing for one other child, then I'm personally all in favour.

Maybe the rest of the country does a better job with it, but here in the Midwest in our all white rural and suburban communities (well, mostly white...we had maybe one or two non-white kids each year in our whole high school in the last rural town I taught in), Harriet Tubman is the unofficial mascot of Black History Month. I seriously doubt any children are going to be led on a historical search to learn about her. They are all probably quite tired of hearing about her. I subbed in 4th grade earlier this month and one reading group was reading a biography of her and were finishing it that day. They were all excited to be done because "Harriet Tubman is boring; we have to learn about her every year". 

Self-defense note: As a high school history teacher, I was aware of this phenomenon in elementary and middle schools and tried to a) incorporate minority experiences into every part of history all year long and b ) find lesser known figures to highlight in February. 

 

[laPapessaGiovanna]

16 hours ago, samurai_sarah said:

I, personally, on the other hand, had never heard of Andrew Jackson before. So I guess we cancel each other out in the all-important opinion poll on US currency in Europe?

On a serious note, back in the old days- before the Euro- I loved when Germany put Clara Schumann on the 100 DM notes. I had no idea who she was. Neither my parents, nor my teachers could sufficiently answer why she was important enough to be on a note, so I did my own research. It led me down a fascinating rabbit hole of history.

If it does the same thing for one other child, then I'm personally all in favour.

Before € on 1000£ notes (I know I know 1000£ sounds like a lot but it was actually the equivalent, not in value but in type of use, of the 1$ coin) there was  Maria Montessori's face. When Rita Levi Montalcini died in 2012 she was hailed on Twitter as the lady on the 1000£ 

[samurai_sarah]

33 minutes ago, louisa05 said:

Maybe the rest of the country does a better job with it, but here in the Midwest in our all white rural and suburban communities (well, mostly white...we had maybe one or two non-white kids each year in our whole high school in the last rural town I taught in), Harriet Tubman is the unofficial mascot of Black History Month. I seriously doubt any children are going to be led on a historical search to learn about her. They are all probably quite tired of hearing about her. I subbed in 4th grade earlier this month and one reading group was reading a biography of her and were finishing it that day. They were all excited to be done because "Harriet Tubman is boring; we have to learn about her every year". 

Self-defense note: As a high school history teacher, I was aware of this phenomenon in elementary and middle schools and tried to a) incorporate minority experiences into every part of history all year long and b ) find lesser known figures to highlight in February. 

 

I get where you're coming from, and admittedly don't know about any US curriculum. My point was merely that something like changing the currency actually made me think, and research as a child. If a small change like the picture on currency can spark someone's interest in learning, then I'm all for it. That's all.

[louisa05]

2 minutes ago, samurai_sarah said:

I get where you're coming from, and admittedly don't know about any US curriculum. My point was merely that something like changing the currency actually made me think, and research as a child. If a small change like the picture on currency can spark someone's interest in learning, then I'm all for it. That's all.

Most curriculum doesn't specifically include anything for Black History Month on the elementary and middle school level. Teachers pick up supplemental materials from random sources and include it in "theme units" or such. And, in many cases in these parts, for Black History Month, that is all Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. She is also a popular topic for children's books marketed for schools so there are a plethora of those, making for a convenient theme unit in February. MLK is covered already in January around the holiday. 

Any of the other women considered would have been more likely to rouse curiosity. 

But I'm not sure American children (or adults) in general are prone to that kind of curiosity. I can't count the number of times I have read and been told in person since this announcement that "it seems wrong since we only have had presidents on our money". 

I have a bruise on my forehead from that one. 

[samurai_sarah]

1 minute ago, louisa05 said:

Most curriculum doesn't specifically include anything for Black History Month on the elementary and middle school level. Teachers pick up supplemental materials from random sources and include it in "theme units" or such. And, in many cases in these parts, for Black History Month, that is all Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. She is also a popular topic for children's books marketed for schools so there are a plethora of those, making for a convenient theme unit in February. MLK is covered already in January around the holiday. 

Any of the other women considered would have been more likely to rouse curiosity. 

But I'm not sure American children (or adults) in general are prone to that kind of curiosity. I can't count the number of times I have read and been told in person since this announcement that "it seems wrong since we only have had presidents on our money". 

I have a bruise on my forehead from that one. 

Thanks for giving me some context. I didn't know that.

[Maggie Mae]

Do other people still use cash? I can't tell you the last time I've looked at any type of currency. I have a couple of ones in my purse right now and that's it. Recently I went to the ATM and got cash for the first time in AGES and immediately took that to the person I was paying and gave it to her. I counted it by making sure that it was 5 $20 bills but I don't recall looking at anything other than the little "20" in the corner.

But before that transaction, I couldn't tell you the last time I had a $20 bill or higher. My paychecks are direct deposited, my bills are autopaid, i buy in person with a debit card. My tax refund is direct deposited.  I don't even need change for parking meters anymore. I haven't seen a phone booth or vending machine outside of the airport in years, and those take cards as well. 

Shouldn't the US Treasury be looking into phasing out the penny and other little used denominations? 

[Sundaymorning]

Nice that women get a little bit more respresentation (still small fraction of what they would deserve, but it's a start).

And while there changing the look of the money, how about they would change their horrible monetary policy too, the biggest culprit regarding wealth inequality.

[WhatWouldJohnCrichtonDo?]

For various reasons, I actually use cash more often than I did 20 years ago.  We have bank accounts, but cash has become more convenient for many things.

A segment (I'm afraid I don't know how large) of the US population is shut out from having checking accounts, savings accounts, traditional debit cards, or traditional credit cards. People in those situations rely on check cashing places (that charge a fee), money orders, pre-paid debit cards, and/or payday loans. If we want a mostly cashless society, then we need to make it for everyone. I don't know if people need a better financial education (probably yes to that for almost everybody), or we need bank accounts to be more available to people with lower incomes, or what.

And I still like pennies, even if they are more expensive to make than they're worth. I guess I'm illogical.

[Maggie Mae]

26 minutes ago, WhatWouldJohnCrichtonDo? said:

For various reasons, I actually use cash more often than I did 20 years ago.  We have bank accounts, but cash has become more convenient for many things.

A segment (I'm afraid I don't know how large) of the US population is shut out from having checking accounts, savings accounts, traditional debit cards, or traditional credit cards. People in those situations rely on check cashing places (that charge a fee), money orders, pre-paid debit cards, and/or payday loans. If we want a mostly cashless society, then we need to make it for everyone. I don't know if people need a better financial education (probably yes to that for almost everybody), or we need bank accounts to be more available to people with lower incomes, or what.

And I still like pennies, even if they are more expensive to make than they're worth. I guess I'm illogical.

I'm aware of this, and I think that places like Walmart are being assholes by charging outrageous fees for that kind of thing. However, I also think that people who are employed should be able to get a checking account.

Payday loans should be regulated if not kicked to the curb for being a shitty thing to do. Same with those places that offer crap like computers and couches at outrageous markups but a thousand tiny installments. 

Better financial education - yes! 

Also, I think the US Government should be putting banks in post offices. Cash those checks for free, open savings accounts, etc. 

[PennySycamore]

@Maggie Mae, I read a piece several years ago about how pennies still are a worthwhile coinage even of they do cost more to make than their monetary value.  Pennies are not used just one time, but over and over again so that when the penny finally goes out of circulation it has been used many times their cost of manufacture.  I'd post a link but I can't remember where I read that.

ETA:  I just went to the bank this afternoon to cash a check so I could gas up my car.  I went to the drive-in window and got two 20s.  The ATM at most banks is placed too high for a short person in a small car and I didn't want to go to the walk-up ATM.

[louisa05]

I use cash frequently. I find it easier to budget cash. We have bank accounts and are adequately financially educated, that is just what works best for me personally. 

Not everyone who uses cash is impoverished, ill-equipped or lacking a bank account.