Keywords
Symbolic economy
National identity
Monetary evolution
Submitted : 2025-11-14
Accepted : 2025-11-29
Published : 2025-12-14
Abstract
This paper examines the historical evolution of the design and denomination of U.S. paper currency from 1690 to 2025, analyzing how shifts in monetary form reflect broader patterns in the nation’s socioeconomic development. From colonial credit notes to contemporary dollars, this study explores the imagery, textual elements, anti-counterfeiting technologies, and denomination structures of U.S. banknotes across various periods. The paper argues that currency functions as both a symbolic “national business card” and a practical economic tool, closely intertwined with political transformation, economic policy, and cultural identity.
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