No, this article has nothing to do with exchange rates, investing, or even economics. Instead, this article is meant to point out how woefully inadequate the design of the almighty U.S. Dollar pales in comparison to the currencies of other nations.
Let’s face it: the United States Dollar looks boring. The “greenback,” because it is one of the world’s reserve currencies (meaning it is possible to purchase anything anywhere in the world using it) has changed very little in the past 100 years. It is important that the Dollar be consistent and reliable to instill and maintain trust in its value. However, other reserve currencies such as the Euro and Chinese Yuan have managed to be more visually interesting; only the Japanese Yen is as dull and drab as the US Dollar.
Although the perception of “stability” is important to the look and feel of our money, gradually the government has been trying to update it. Over the past 20 years or so, the Treasury has been infusing more visual interest into our banknotes by “tinting” the backgrounds of banknotes with different colors. While much improved, the US Dollar still pales in comparison to the bold, bright colors used by almost every other currency in the world.
The front of most foreign banknotes feature important citizens throughout a country’s history, whether they are infamous rulers, politicians, scientists, and other celebrities (who have made great contributions to society). On the reverse side are natural landmarks, buildings and distinctive architecture, and flora and fauna that are specific to each country. Our banknotes, on the other hand, features dead presidents or the “Founding Fathers” of our democracy—until recently, that is, when it was announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. Foreign currency provides a richer sense of their countries’ history, and a more permanent record of their civilizations’ achievements—especially since money is something that is “saved.”
Imagine you are unable to see and have to pay for groceries. How would you be able to tell how much money you are handing the cashier, especially when all of the bank notes are the same size and use the same general typeface, text size, and color? Even the “paper” that each note is printed on is the same cotton/linen blend, so all of the notes feel the same. Knowing what denomination of bill being used, simply be touch, can be a real challenge when using US Dollars.
To improve the usability of our money, particularly for those who suffer visual impairment, the Treasury Department began printing large numerals in one corner of the bill. While helpful, it doesn’t address the difficulties that someone who is totally blind would have when using money. In China and most other countries, the physical size of a banknote corresponds to the denomination or value… the larger the note, the more valuable it is.
Micro-printing, color-shifting ink, watermark images and metallic ribbons embedded in banknotes are all security features used by the US Treasury to prevent counterfeits. Today, these are given security features used by all currencies, and unfortunately our money lags far behind others in terms of the technology and printing techniques used to protect our currency.
Many currencies in the world today use holographic ribbons that are woven into the paper, or are printed onto plastic sheets, making them impossible to counterfeit and virtually indestructible. Australia, New Zealand and even our neighbors to the north, Canadians, print their money onto plastic. Besides a great security feature, plastic banknotes are cleaner (did you know there are traces of cocaine on most dollar bills today?), and they can remain in circulation longer, which leads to a reduction in printing costs and waste.
Money is something that we use everyday. We work hard to earn it. We try to save it (but sometimes end up spending too much instead). We never seem to have enough of it. But how often do we stop and admire its design, or think about how people with disabilities use it? Money, besides being a store of value, is an historical artifact—a snapshot of a country that showcases its culture and contribution to civilization. How often do we think about how our money stacks up (pun intended) to the design and usability of other currencies from around the world?
By: Ryan Hembree, Principal | Brand & Creative Strategy
Numismatist
No, this article has nothing to do with exchange rates, investing, or even economics. Instead, this article is meant to point out how woefully inadequate the design of the almighty U.S. Dollar pales in comparison to the currencies of other nations.
Let’s face it: the United States Dollar looks boring. The “greenback,” because it is one of the world’s reserve currencies (meaning it is possible to purchase anything anywhere in the world using it) has changed very little in the past 100 years. It is important that the Dollar be consistent and reliable to instill and maintain trust in its value. However, other reserve currencies such as the Euro and Chinese Yuan have managed to be more visually interesting; only the Japanese Yen is as dull and drab as the US Dollar.
Although the perception of “stability” is important to the look and feel of our money, gradually the government has been trying to update it. Over the past 20 years or so, the Treasury has been infusing more visual interest into our banknotes by “tinting” the backgrounds of banknotes with different colors. While much improved, the US Dollar still pales in comparison to the bold, bright colors used by almost every other currency in the world.
The front of most foreign banknotes feature important citizens throughout a country’s history, whether they are infamous rulers, politicians, scientists, and other celebrities (who have made great contributions to society). On the reverse side are natural landmarks, buildings and distinctive architecture, and flora and fauna that are specific to each country. Our banknotes, on the other hand, features dead presidents or the “Founding Fathers” of our democracy—until recently, that is, when it was announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. Foreign currency provides a richer sense of their countries’ history, and a more permanent record of their civilizations’ achievements—especially since money is something that is “saved.”
Imagine you are unable to see and have to pay for groceries. How would you be able to tell how much money you are handing the cashier, especially when all of the bank notes are the same size and use the same general typeface, text size, and color? Even the “paper” that each note is printed on is the same cotton/linen blend, so all of the notes feel the same. Knowing what denomination of bill being used, simply be touch, can be a real challenge when using US Dollars.
To improve the usability of our money, particularly for those who suffer visual impairment, the Treasury Department began printing large numerals in one corner of the bill. While helpful, it doesn’t address the difficulties that someone who is totally blind would have when using money. In China and most other countries, the physical size of a banknote corresponds to the denomination or value… the larger the note, the more valuable it is.
Micro-printing, color-shifting ink, watermark images and metallic ribbons embedded in banknotes are all security features used by the US Treasury to prevent counterfeits. Today, these are given security features used by all currencies, and unfortunately our money lags far behind others in terms of the technology and printing techniques used to protect our currency.
Many currencies in the world today use holographic ribbons that are woven into the paper, or are printed onto plastic sheets, making them impossible to counterfeit and virtually indestructible. Australia, New Zealand and even our neighbors to the north, Canadians, print their money onto plastic. Besides a great security feature, plastic banknotes are cleaner (did you know there are traces of cocaine on most dollar bills today?), and they can remain in circulation longer, which leads to a reduction in printing costs and waste.
Money is something that we use everyday. We work hard to earn it. We try to save it (but sometimes end up spending too much instead). We never seem to have enough of it. But how often do we stop and admire its design, or think about how people with disabilities use it? Money, besides being a store of value, is an historical artifact—a snapshot of a country that showcases its culture and contribution to civilization. How often do we think about how our money stacks up (pun intended) to the design and usability of other currencies from around the world?
By: Ryan Hembree, Principal | Brand & Creative Strategy
Numismatist