Liberty

The concept of freedom and liberty has often taken on the personification of a goddess. From the emblems of the French Republic to ancient Roman coins to the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, varying examples of these symbols can be found everywhere. One can find the female portrayal of liberty in a wide range of instances throughout the literature and song in the time leading up to the American revolutionary war.

This particular representation of liberty used in the Legal Tender deck comes from the vignettes found on the fifty-dollar bill printed between 1874-1880. The vignette sits opposite Ben Franklin on these ornate notes. Here Liberty is shown with a sword and shield, crowned with the words "From Many, One". 

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was born on June 2, 1731 in New Kent County, Virginia to a hardworking farming family. She was the oldest of nine and became well educated at a young age. She could both read and write, which was a rarity for women in the 1700's. She was described as being “charming, sincere, warm, and socially adept.” Martha was first married on May 15, 1750 to Daniel Parke Custis, a wealthy plantation owner who was much older than Martha. Together they had four children- all whom she outlived. She would also outlive her husband, as 7 years into their marriage, Daniel would die of an infection. The widowed Martha was young, attractive, and very wealthy.

 George and Martha Washington first started interacting around the spring of 1758. At that time, George Washington was a Colonel in the First Virginia Regiment and held high accolades for his military accomplishments. The two would be married on January 6, 1759 and settled down at Mount Vernon a few months later. Thirty years after their marriage, George Washington would be unanimously elected as the President of the United States making Martha Washington the nation's first First Lady. She was aware of this honor and sought to set a great precedent for all future First Ladies. 

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was born around the year 1820 in Dorchester County, Maryland. When she was born she was named Araminta Ross, the daughter of Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross. From early on in her childhood she wished to resist slavery. She often would defend other slaves and would even allow herself to be harmed so that other slaves may be relieved. As a slave, she was not allowed to have a legal marriage. However, she later entered a marital union with a free black man named John Tubman in 1844. She then changed her first name to Harriet.

Harriet Tubman would use the Underground Railroad created by abolitionists to escape to the north along with her two brothers. After her escape, Tubman would move back and forth through the Underground Railroad to bring many people to freedom in the North. Through her familiarity and expertise with the Underground Railroad, she became a spy for the Union during the Civil War. She would find out information about Confederate troop placement and about the allocation of their resources. During the war she became a nurse and kept many soldiers from death. After the war, she continued to fight for the emancipated slaves and womens suffrage. 

Chief Running Antelope

Chief Running Antelope or Tȟatȟóka Íŋyaŋke was born in the year 1821 to the Húŋkpapȟa tribe part of the Sioux nation which is located near the Grand River in South Dakota. He eventually became the head chief of his tribe in 1851 because of his great bravery, leadership, and diplomatic skills. As he grew up, the population of whites had drastically increased around him and he and his tribe were forced to adapt. Many of the Sioux nation took up arms against many of the whites which led to the Prairie Indian Wars. However, in 1868 many prominent Sioux leaders including Running Antelope signed “the Treaty of 1968” which brought temporary peace between Native Americans and the U.S.

Chief Running Antelope is the only Native American depicted on any U.S. currency note. When the note was released to the public, however, it was met with much negativity. Running Antelope was depicted wearing a Pawnee headdress that was contrary to his Sioux heritage. Many believe this particular depiction was because the Sioux headdress was too tall to fit in the illustration for the currency note. Ultimately the note was canceled and a Native American has never been seen on a bill since. 

Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 in Western South Carolina as the youngest of his family. His early life was clouded by the British invasion of the western Carolinas. This invasion cut his education experience short and produced in him a hostility towards the British. After the war ended, he began to study law in North Carolina promoting his interest in politics. He was influential in the drafting of the Tennessee constitution in 1796. In this same year, he was elected to become a representative from Tennessee to the House of Representatives. When the War of 1812 began, Andrew Jackson became a key leader for the United States. He earned much respect in his campaign in the west where he destroyed the Creek Indians who were allied with the British. After the war, he boldly invaded Florida from the Spanish and hastened the U.S. acquisition of Florida.

 His popularity, along with his military and political successes led to his election as the 7th President of the United States. His presidency was significant as he would expand the west, improve the economy, and fight corruption within the government. Sadly, he would institute the Indian Removal Policy which would cause the Trail of Tears - a blight in the time of his very influential presidency. He had an extreme impact on the precedent of the role of President and would set the Executive Branch up to have equal power with that of the Congress. His great success would cause him to be re-elected as he continued to make a mark on U.S. history. 

$5 Note - Pioneer Family (1869)

$10 Note (1923)

$20 Note (1934)

 Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio on July 23, 1885. Grant’s childhood consisted of helping his fathers tanning business, farmwork and horse handling.. In 1839 he left his family to join the United States Military at West Point. While at the academy, he changed the order of his name to Ulysses Grant so that his belongings would not be embroidered with the acronym “HUG”. This led to a mistake in the congressional appointment and his name was given a middle initial that stood for nothing - thus Ulysses S. Grant was the name he became known by.

 Years after graduating, he joined the Mexican-American war where he distinguished himself as a military and political figure. Following this war, he joined in the Civil War and eventually became lieutenant general and was entrusted with command of all the U.S. armies. He immobilized Robert E. Lee and forced him to surrender. He demonstrated great adaptability, administrative ability, and leadership talent which led him to earn great popularity following the war. He eventually became nominated for President in 1868 and would enter the White House in 1869 by a large majority vote as the 18th President of the United States. His two-term presidency was marked by his attempts to unify the North and the South, and his efforts to help the African Americans in the South. 

$1 Silver Certificate - Eagle (1899)

$5 Silver Certificate (1886)

$50 St. Louis Note (1918)

Thomas Jefferson was born in Albemarle County, Virginia on April 13, 1743 to Peter Jefferson, a successful surveyor, and his mother Jane Randolph. From a young age, Jefferson became enamored with the study of law. Jefferson was married to Martha Wayles Skelton shortly after his education experience in 1772. He became vocal in the colonial position for independence from Britain by writing, “Summary View of the Rights of British America''. The publishing of this document increased his popularity due to his bold assertion that the British Parliament should not make laws for the colonies.

 Jefferson’s great success in vocalizing the concerns and feelings of the colonies led him to become the drafter of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson’s document would comprise some of the most essential underlying principles about human rights that would be fundamental in the birth of the United States. During the resulting Revolutionary War Jefferson would serve as the Governor of Virginia for two years. In 1801, Jefferson became the third President of the United States and served for two terms. During this time, Jefferson was able to reduce national debt, purchase the Louisiana territory, and maintain neutrality during the conflict between Britain and France. 

$2 Note (1869)

$2 Note (1928)

$2 Note (1976)