Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Greetings Infomaniacs,

The mighty greenback has dominated the global economy for decades, but have you ever really looked at the design of the ubiquitous U.S. dollar? There are some odd things going on there. But what does it mean?

Enjoy!

Questions? Comments? email the editor

P.S. Did you miss an issue? You can read every issue from the Gophercentral library of newsletters on our exhaustive archives page. Thousands of issues, all of your favorite publications in chronological order. You can read AND comment. Click http://gopherarchives.gophercentral.com




***********************************************************

WHO SAID IT?
QUOTE: "Whenever he saw a dollar in another man's hands he took it as a personal grudge, if he couldn't take it any other way."

HINT: (1862 - 1910) born William Sydney Porter, he was a prolific American short story writer who was known for his surprise endings. Even to this day he is known by his pen name.

***********************************************************

RANDOM TIDBITS
The two circular drawings on the reverse of the bill are actually parts of the two-sided Great Seal of the United States. Although we don't see the entire seal outside of our wallets too often, the notion of having a great seal is actually as old as the country itself. The Continental Congress passed a resolution on July 4, 1776, to create a committee to design a great seal for the fledgling nation.

***
The obverse picturing the eagle is a bit easier to explain. The bird holds 13 arrows to show the nation's strength in war, but it also grasps an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 olives that symbolize the importance of peace. (The recurring number 13, which also appears in the stripes on the eagle's shield and the constellation of stars over its head, is a nod to the original 13 states.)

***
The symbolism of the pyramid on the seal's reverse is trickier. The pyramid has 13 steps the designers apparently never got tired of the 13 motif and the Roman numeral for 1776 is emblazoned across the bottom. The all-seeing Eye of Providence at the top of the pyramid symbolizes the divine help the early Americans needed in establishing the new country. The pyramid itself symbolizes strength and durability.

***
Some people believe that the "all-seeing Eye" is much more conspiratorial in nature, especially since the same symbol has also been utilized by the Freemasons. These theorists believe that the founding of our country was heavily influenced by the Masons and Masonic beliefs. Not a far-flung theory since George Washington and other founding fathers were, in fact, Freemasons.

***
The Latin motto Annuit Ceptis appears over the pyramid; it translates into "He [God] has favored our undertaking." The scroll underneath the pyramid reads Novus Ordo Seclorum, or "A new order of the ages," which was meant to signify the dawn of the new American era.

***
If you look at your dollar bills closely, you will find what appears to be either a little spider or a tiny owl right near the large '1' at the top right of the dollar bill. Some people say it is a secret reference to fate, or wisdom. Others say it is an accidental result of where the webbed lines are supposed to converge, and is not intentional.




***********************************************************

*** Weekly Mind-Scrambler ***
My first three letters are a term in golf,
While my second, third, and fourth are drawings.
My first four are less than a whole,
And all of me is a celebration.

What am I?

Submit your answer by clicking: TheDailyTease

Answer will be posted in Friday's Trivia Today. Good Luck! If your name appears in Friday's newsletter, EMAIL MICHELE your complete name and address to be shipped your prize.

Be sure to put "Winner" in the subject line.

***********************************************************

WHO SAID IT?
QUOTE: "Whenever he saw a dollar in another man's hands he took it as a personal grudge, if he couldn't take it any other way."

ANSWER: O. Henry